JENNY LIND MELON SEEDS

Cucumis melo

This old variety was among the most popular in late 19th century Northeastern gardens and markets and exemplified the “early green-fleshed melon" for generations of Americans. Named for the popular Swedish opera singer of the same era, Jenny Lind first appeared in seed catalogs around 1850. In subsequent decades the beloved little ribbed melon saw many dozens of selections and varieties marketed as improvements on the original, and it was in these selections that the distinctive little knob at the blossom end appeared. This little knob is now considered indicative of an “authentic" Jenny Lind, as it has otherwise been bred out of commerical melons.

Once known as “nutmeg" melons, these green-fleshed musk melons have long fallen out of favor with commercial growers in North America and now persist almost exclusively in gardens. We can only claim ignorance as to why, because we find the flavor superior to that of common cantaloupe, the only caveat being that they really do need a hot summer to be at their best.

Jenny Lind is fairly adapted to Northeastern gardens and reliably early. Given consistently warm weather the melons are ready to be picked in as little as 75 days. In the Hudson Valley and other regions with cool nights or short seasons, careful attention must be paid to the soil and exposure in order to give these melons the best chance to shine: grow these melons in the hottest fullest sun available, high on a hillside if at all possible, with a minimum of six hours per day of direct sunlight, and amend the soil with plenty of composted manure and fish bone meal, as well as greensand or regular sand if drainage is less than ideal.

Sow seeds directly into amended soils or transplant as soon as soil reaches 65°F and fertilize weekly with dilute fish emulsion until plants are well-rooted and growing quickly. When vines are nearly 3', consider pruning the ends. Hand pollinate and limit the number of fruits on each plant to no more than two. This pruning and pinching will produce bigger and better fruit that is more likely to ripen to its full potential.

Like little Minnesota Midget, these melons are small and suitable for eating in a single sitting. Their unique appearance makes them a great choice for farmers markets.

Packet contains at least 30 seeds.