«Piel de Sapo» - Organic Melon Seeds

The name translates as 'Toad Skin' and the skin of this Spanish-style melon does indeed resemble this amphibian with its mottled green skin with flecks of yellow and wrinkles when ripe.

Sow two seeds 1.5cm (1/2in) deep from mid- to late April, in a propagator or on a sunny windowsill at 18-21ºC (64-70ºF). Remove the strongest seedling after germination. Harden off (acclimatise to outdoor conditions) from late May to early June, once there is no danger of frost, and when they have three or four leaves.
 

Melons are tender plants, so need a warm, sunny spot with high humidity. In the UK it is best to grow in a glasshouse, polytunnel or under a cloche or in a coldframe. Melons need a rich, fertile, moisture retentive, deep and well-drained soil. Three to four weeks before planting, prepare the ground by removing weeds and incorporating up to two bucketfuls of organic matter and a modest dressing of general purpose fertiliser. Water well and cover in clear polythene for a week before planting to warm the soil.

Pinch out the growing point at the fifth leaf to encourage side shoots, when they appear, retain the four strongest and remove the others. In a coldframe, train the four shoots into an X shape. Under cloches, train one pair each way. In very sunny weather, shade indoor crops with netting or whitewash on the glass. Keep well watered at all times. When fruit are the size of walnuts, feed with a high potash potassium liquid fertiliser every 7-10 days. Stop feeding and reduce watering when the fruits start to ripen and foliage dies back.

Increase ventilation and remove shading once plants become established, but remember to re-apply shading later in summer if temperatures exceed 25ºC.
 

Harvest when they produce the characteristic melon fragrance and the fruits start to crack near the stem.