Charentais Melon

Why I grow it
Charentais 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.

At a glance
Type: Melon
Variety: Charentais
Growth: Trailing vine
Fruit: Small, round melons with orange flesh
Harvest: Summer
Inventory: 6 plants

In the kitchen
Best 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.

In the garden
Give 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.

Care
Full sun. Protect from cold weather and frost. Water consistently, particularly while fruit is developing, but avoid keeping the soil permanently soggy.

What you’ll receive
One established Charentais melon seedling, ready to plant out when conditions are warm enough.