(90-100 Days) (Citrullus Lanatus)
Moon & Stars (Red Flesh) is a beautiful and delicious watermelon variety! It was introduced in 1924 by Peter Henderson and Company, but had disappeared from the commercial market for decades. It was thought extinct until in 1981, when Kent Whealy, (co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange), was contacted by Merle Van Doren of Macon, Mo., who had saved the seeds. These melons are medium large and have varying amounts of speckling on the fruit and foliage. Moon & Stars (Red Flesh) are sweet, juicy, and succulent!

Sowing: Melons must not be planted until the soil temperature has warmed to 70-80 degrees F, since they thrive in heat. Start the heirloom Melon seeds indoors only 2-4 weeks before transplanting, since if the plants grow too large they have difficulty adjusting to the change. Sow several seeds 1/2″ deep in each peat pot, and keep them at 75 degrees until they germinate. Thin to the strongest plant in each pot by cutting off the others. Gradually accustom the plants to outdoor temperatures by setting them outside during the day, then transplant them to hills 4-6′ apart with 2-3 plants to a hill. For companion planting benefits, plant melons near corn but not potatoes.

Growing: In cooler climates, melons may benefit from black plastic to warm the soil; mulch also helps to conserve necessary moisture, control weeds, and keep the melons clean. Adequate moisture is particularly crucial as the vines begin to develop. After midsummer, pinch off blossoms and smaller fruits in order to direct the full energy to the larger fruits; the smaller fruits will not have time to ripen before frost, and are no great loss.

Seed Saving: When saving seed from melons, keep in mind that they will cross pollinate with other varieties of melon but not with watermelon, cucumbers, or squash. Melon seeds mature when the fruit is ripe; cut open the fruit and put the pulp that contains the seeds into a bowl. Work it with your fingers to separate the seeds from the pulpy fibers. Add enough water so that the pulp and the hollow seeds will float; remove the floating material, and the good seeds will remain at the bottom of the bowl. Rinse them well, then spread them out to dry completely. Store heirloom melon seeds in a cool, dry place for up to five years.