{"title":"Fruit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit plants I grow for the garden — familiar favourites, unusual varieties and things chosen simply because they’re delicious or interesting enough to earn their space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"melon-pride-of-wisconsin","title":"Melon Pride of Wisconsin","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I chose it\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI have a weakness for old varieties that have survived because they're genuinely worth growing, and Pride of Wisconsin certainly qualifies. It's a heritage rockmelon producing substantial, beautifully ribbed fruit with firm orange flesh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is my first season growing it, so we're finding out together whether a melon bred for Wisconsin can cope with life at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Garden Between\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rockmelon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeritage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Oval, ribbed and netted, around 2–3 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlesh:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Firm, bright orange\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sweet, juicy and aromatic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sprawling vine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePosition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun, warm and sheltered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaturity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Around 80–100 days from transplant \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kingsseeds.co.nz\/products\/organic-melon-pride-of-wisconsin?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eKings Seeds NZ\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the kitchen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is very much a melon to let ripen properly and then eat fresh. Chill it and cut into great wedges, add it to summer fruit platters and salads, or pair that sweet orange flesh with salty cheeses, herbs or something sharp and acidic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGive this one \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003espace and warmth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Pride of Wisconsin produces vigorous vines carrying sizeable fruit, so let it roam through a sunny bed or across an area where it won't immediately engulf something you particularly wanted to keep.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKings describes ripe fruit as loosening from the vine with a gentle tug. They also suggest watching the background skin colour beneath the netting — it lightens towards yellow as the melon matures — and the tendril opposite the fruit stem, which dries and browns as maturity approaches. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kingsseeds.co.nz\/products\/organic-melon-pride-of-wisconsin?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eKings Seeds NZ\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJo's useful trick:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e once fruit begins developing on the ground, slip something dry underneath it to keep it away from damp soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant in rich, fertile, well-drained soil in your warmest sunny position. Keep moisture consistent while vines establish, flower and develop fruit, and feed during the growing season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMelons are tender plants and need warmth; Kings recommends warm conditions and gives an optimum germination soil temperature of 20–30°C. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kingsseeds.co.nz\/products\/organic-melon-pride-of-wisconsin?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eKings Seeds NZ\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat you'll receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne healthy, established plant grown here at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Garden Between\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Plants naturally vary in size and shape and may be supplied in reused nursery pots or growing bags — perfectly useful plastic doesn't need replacing simply because it doesn't match.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A Garden Between","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67875919823071,"sku":null,"price":7.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/8279\/7023\/files\/4B400BEA-4A15-4456-988B-11C3AAEA68BF.jpg?v=1790978689"},{"product_id":"sugar-baby-watermelon","title":"Sugar Baby Watermelon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I grow it\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatermelon straight from the garden is one of those ridiculous summer pleasures that makes all the sprawling vines worthwhile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSugar Baby particularly appeals to me because the fruit stays relatively small — much more manageable than attempting to grow something the size of a small child — but still gives you that crisp, sweet, properly watermelon-red centre. A useful watermelon for an ordinary garden rather than requiring your own melon plantation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Watermelon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Small, round, dark green\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlesh:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Deep red\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlavour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sweet and crisp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sprawling vine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePosition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun, warm and sheltered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest for:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fresh eating\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Give it room to wander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the kitchen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis one requires very little culinary interference. Get it properly cold, cut it into wedges and eat it somewhere that doesn't matter when the juice runs down your arms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's also gorgeous chopped into summer salads with salty feta, mint and lime, or blitzed with lime and ice for an absurdly refreshing drink.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSugar Baby is a smaller-fruited watermelon, which makes it surprisingly good for growing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eup rather than out\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI've had great success growing mine over arches made from concrete reinforcing mesh. The vines happily climb up and over the arch and I've harvested heaps of watermelons this way, without sacrificing a huge area of garden floor to sprawling vines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGuide the young vines onto the mesh as they start growing and they'll use their tendrils to help themselves along. Because Sugar Baby produces relatively small fruit, it's particularly well suited to this kind of vertical growing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can, of course, let it ramble along the ground instead. If you do, place something dry beneath developing fruit to keep them away from damp soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJo's growing tip:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e If you're short of growing space, don't automatically rule out watermelon. A sturdy arch turns the vine into part of the garden structure — and there is something rather glorious about watermelons hanging overhead.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrow in rich, fertile, well-drained soil in your warmest position. Water consistently while the vines establish and fruit develops, avoiding dramatic wet\/dry swings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed during flowering and fruiting, give the vines room to spread and protect from frost. As the fruit approaches maturity, ease back on heavy watering rather than soaking the plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat you'll receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne healthy, established plant grown here at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Garden Between\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Plants naturally vary in size and shape and may be supplied in reused nursery pots or growing bags — perfectly useful plastic doesn't need replacing simply because it doesn't match.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A Garden Between","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67878125797599,"sku":null,"price":7.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/8279\/7023\/files\/39E5B3BB-CC6A-4290-92F9-98673ED6EF58.jpg?v=1790978709"},{"product_id":"charentais-melon","title":"Charentais Melon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy I grow it\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharentais is a classic small French melon and one I grow because the flavour is worth the effort. The fruit is smaller than many supermarket melons, with orange flesh that is sweet and strongly melon-flavoured when properly ripe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Melon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVariety:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Charentais\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Trailing vine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFruit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Small, round melons with orange flesh\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Summer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInventory:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6 plants\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the kitchen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBest eaten ripe and fresh. Chill it, cut it open and eat it. It really doesn't require anyone to turn it into a lifestyle experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the garden\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGive it warmth, sun and room to spread. It can trail along the ground or be trained up a sturdy support, although developing fruit may need supporting if grown vertically. Melons appreciate fertile soil, regular water while establishing and plenty of heat to ripen well.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull sun. Protect from cold weather and frost. Water consistently, particularly while fruit is developing, but avoid keeping the soil permanently soggy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat you’ll receive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne established Charentais melon seedling, ready to plant out when conditions are warm enough.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"A Garden Between","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67920009625823,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/8279\/7023\/files\/Screenshot2026-10-04at4.11.07PM.png?v=1791083495"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/8279\/7023\/collections\/BD28BC6E-E879-40AC-BF39-8F2CDD6AD1F2.jpg?v=1790978555","url":"https:\/\/agardenbetween.com\/collections\/fruit.oembed","provider":"A Garden Between","version":"1.0","type":"link"}