NOIR DES CARMES MELON SEEDS

Cucumis melo

ORGANIC

This is the one. The one cantaloupe that I could grow successfully in my very first garden. And Noir des Carmes continues to be my favorite, not least of all for its magical pumpkin shape and the tell-tale color change when ripe. Flavor is excellent in a hot summer. Even the fragrant flowers taste of melon. Plants are not fussy in the least. The only challenging aspect of growing these melons is that when really ripe they will sometimes split, especially after a hard rain.

Noir des Carmes is an old forcing melon from France that, unsurprisingly, is still popular in Europe. Named for the Carmelite monks that tended to it centuries ago. Its longevity speaks to a profound ease of culture. Even brown thumbs are bound to get a couple tasty melons from this tough little plant.

Culture is similar to that of other melons: start indoors in 3" pots on or around the last frost, sowing 2-3 seeds per pot, 1/4”-1/2" below surface of moist soil; press to keep seed snug and mist with warm water; cover with plastic to maintain moisture and temperature; kept warm (around 75°F) and moist in bright light, seeds will usually germinate within a few days. Thin to one plant per pot. Grow on in bright light at warm room temperature and harden off before planting outdoors, when soil has thoroughly warmed (65°F). Noir Des Carmes is also great for containers, and in cool maritime climates fruits are more likely to sweeten up reliably if grown on a hot patio in a big terra cotta pot of rich soil. Allow to dry out slightly between waterings.

Melons like fertile soil. Amend with lots of compost, kelp and fish bone meal. Fertilize plants with seaweed extract when transplanting. Mulch with compost first, combined with bat or seabird guano if you have it, then grass or straw, to within an inch or two of the stem, to stop soil splashing onto the plant.

For containers, use good potting soil amended with kelp and fish bone meal. Using a lacquered pot rather than unpainted terra cotta will help maintain soil moisture in hot dry climates. Noir des Carmes has a lovely habit. Two, possibly three plants, can be grown in a large shallow container. Pruning the end of the main stem will encourage side shoots and larger fruit. You may end up with fewer melons, but probably larger melons. Fertilize at least once every two weeks with dilute fish emulsion.

Hand pollinate plants. Use stamenless male flowers to garnish drinks and salads. They are sweetly fragrant and delicious.

Packet contains at least 30 seeds.