GREEN WINTER OLIVE MELON AB

The winter olive green melon , also called Christmas Green or Spanish Olive Green , is an old variety dating from 1885, late, with oval fruit resembling an olive. It is dark green, with a skin marked by fine ribs, and a soft, juicy, sweet and slightly pink flesh. This melon has an excellent storage capacity and can be kept until Christmas if stored in a cool place, about three months after harvest. It was grown mainly in southern Europe and Algeria , before being exported to large northern cities (such as Paris) in the late season. This melon belongs to the non-climacteric and late "Inodorus" type, grown mainly in the south of France. It is even mentioned in the 1904 Vilmorin Dictionary under the name "late Spanish melon".

How to successfully sow melons

Sowing melons in pots

Melons need warmth (between 24 and 35°C) and light to germinate. The ideal daytime temperature should be within this range, without dropping below 15°C at night. Sowing should be done in March/April , in a heated greenhouse or on a warm bed , and then replanting the young plants in the garden after the risk of frost has passed (mid-May).

Instructions for sowing in pots:

• Sow 2 to 3 seeds (point downwards) per pot, 1 cm deep, in fine seed compost .
• Water regularly with a sprayer to keep the soil moist, without soaking it.
• Place the cups near a window or in a very bright place.
• As seedlings germinate, the need for light becomes more crucial. Make sure the plants receive sunny exposure .
• Remove the weakest plants, keeping only the most vigorous ones.

Melon sowing in place

For those living in the south of France or regions with a Mediterranean climate , you can sow directly in the ground.

Instructions for sowing in place:

• Space each melon plant 80 cm to 1 m apart.
• Sow 2 to 3 seeds per pocket at a depth of 1.5 cm.
• Cover the seeds with a mixture of sifted garden soil and mature compost .
• Use a cloche or a frame to protect seedlings at the beginning of cultivation.
• Keep only the strongest plant.

Melon planting

Young melon plants can be planted in the garden between April and mid-June, depending on the region. If you don't live in the south, it's advisable to use a heated greenhouse for growing melons. A plastic tunnel can also be used to maintain warmth during the early stages of growth.

Tips for planting:

• Space plants 80 cm to 1 m apart.
• Choose a warm, sunny location with potash- rich soil. Remember to loosen the soil before planting and add a little compost.

Association with the vegetable garden

Melon grows well with most vegetables, except cucumber and squash .

Melon cultivation

Once the plant has formed 4 to 6 leaves, it is advisable to prune the main stem to encourage branching and increase fruiting.

Tips for growing:

• Water regularly but moderately . Avoid saturating the soil, as this will alter the flavor of the fruit.
• Do not wet the foliage when watering to prevent the appearance of powdery mildew .
• Weed after planting to avoid competition, then mulch the soil in late June-early July.
• Remove leaves that hide the fruit so that they benefit from maximum sunlight.
• Place wooden boards or tiles under the fruit to protect it from humidity and provide more warmth.

Melon harvest

The winter olive-green melon is ripe when its fruit begins to show lighter spots (a yellowish green). It is harvested when fully ripe, in October. If you have sown and harvested the melon in good conditions, it can be stored perfectly until the end of winter, sometimes in a seed .

Melon diseases

The winter olive melon is susceptible to fusarium wilt , a fungal disease that affects the roots and growth of plants. Therefore, it is recommended to practice a crop rotation of at least 4 years to avoid the accumulation of this disease in the soil.