Cucumis melo## HOW TO GROW MELON Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost, plant out 2 weeks after last frost. Do not over water. Direct sow 1-2 weeks after last frost date. Sow in rows or thin to 2-3 plants per hill. Melons are heat lovers, and require warm springs and warm nights. In cooler climates, use plastic mulch to increase the soil and air temperature. Using floating row covers also helps. Heavy feeder, thrive in well-decayed organic matter or compost. Moist well-drained soil is important in early stages of pollination. After fruit set, do not water unless the soil is very dry and leaves begin to wilt. Best flavor produced in dry weather. Fruit is mature when fruit turns color and slips from the vine. Soil pH 6-7.5. Hardiness zones 4. Annual.Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 1,260 seeds per ounce. Average 15M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 75%. Usual seed life: 5 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1/2 mile.Planting Depth 1/4-1/2”Soil Temp. Germ. 70-85˚FDays to Germ. 3-10Plant Spacing 18”Row Spacing 5-6’Days To Maturity 80Full Sun, Moist Well Drained Hale's Best Jumbo Seed Count 1 Ounce ≈ 1,013 seeds.25 Pound ≈ 4,050 seeds1 Pound ≈ 16,200 seeds##This is a standard early shipper with heavy coarse net and light ribs. Melons range from 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches long by 5 1/2 inches in diameter and average 4 pounds. Flesh is firm and salmon colored with a good flavor. Developed by a Japanese market gardener in California in 1923, this muskmelon became widely popular because it combined excellent flavor with earliness. Tags: Harvest: Early, Color: Orange, Size: medium, Shape: oval, Specialty: Disease Resistant, Specialty: Shipper, Heritage: Heirloom, Season: Summer.
