{"product_id":"melon-chilton-ab","title":"MELON CHILTON AB","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eChilton\u003c\/strong\u003e melon is a delicious, productive, no-pruning American cantaloupe variety that produces \u003cstrong\u003e1-2 kg\u003c\/strong\u003e fruits with fragrant, juicy, refreshing, and very sweet flesh. It can be eaten raw, candied, or made into jam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e How to successfully sow melons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e Sowing melons in pots\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Melons need a lot of heat (between \u003cstrong\u003e24 and 35°C\u003c\/strong\u003e ) and light to germinate. The temperature during the day should therefore be within this range and not drop below \u003cstrong\u003e15°C\u003c\/strong\u003e at night. Ideally, you should sow your melons in a \u003cstrong\u003ehotbed\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eheated greenhouse\u003c\/strong\u003e in March\/April and replant them in the garden after the risk of frost has passed, i.e. in \u003cstrong\u003emid-May\u003c\/strong\u003e . \u003cbr\u003eSow \u003cstrong\u003e2 or 3 seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e (point down) per pot filled with \u003cstrong\u003efine seed compost\u003c\/strong\u003e at a depth of \u003cstrong\u003e1 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e . Water regularly to keep the compost moist (but not soggy) with a sprayer. Place next to a window or in full light. Once the seedlings have emerged, the need for light is even greater, so make sure to place them in a very sunny spot.\u003cbr\u003e Remove the weakest plants and keep only the most vigorous ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e Melon sowing in place\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Another solution, more commonly used by people living in the south of \u003cstrong\u003eFrance\u003c\/strong\u003e or in a \u003cstrong\u003eMediterranean\u003c\/strong\u003e climate, is to sow directly in the ground. \u003cbr\u003eSpace each future melon plant \u003cstrong\u003e80 cm to 1 m\u003c\/strong\u003e apart, place \u003cstrong\u003e2 to 3 seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e per pocket ( \u003cstrong\u003e1.5 cm deep\u003c\/strong\u003e ) and cover with a mixture of \u003cstrong\u003esieved garden soil\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003emature compost\u003c\/strong\u003e . Protect the seedlings with a cloche or a frame at the start of cultivation. Only keep the best-looking plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Melon planting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Depending on the region, you can plant young melon plants in the garden between \u003cstrong\u003eApril and mid-June\u003c\/strong\u003e . We recommend keeping a \u003cstrong\u003eplastic tunnel\u003c\/strong\u003e at the beginning of cultivation to provide more heat. If you do not live in the south, we strongly recommend using a \u003cstrong\u003eheated greenhouse\u003c\/strong\u003e for growing melons and watermelons. Make sure to keep a spacing of \u003cstrong\u003e80 cm to 1 m\u003c\/strong\u003e between each plant. \u003cbr\u003eMelons will appreciate a warm spot, a sunny exposure, rich and deep soil rich in \u003cstrong\u003epotash\u003c\/strong\u003e . Do not hesitate to loosen the soil a little before planting and add a little compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Association with the vegetable garden\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e In the vegetable garden, melon will get along well with most vegetables, except \u003cstrong\u003ecucumber\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003esquash\u003c\/strong\u003e .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Melon cultivation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e It should be noted that the new varieties do not require pruning, except for topping (cutting the head). As soon as the plant has formed \u003cstrong\u003e4 or 6 leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e , the main stem is pruned: this allows for rapid branching and greater fruiting.\u003cbr\u003e Watering should be regular but limited; flooding your crops would reduce their taste. Do not wet the foliage when watering, otherwise \u003cstrong\u003epowdery mildew\u003c\/strong\u003e may develop. \u003cbr\u003eWeed in the weeks following planting to avoid competition, then mulch when the soil is warm, at the end of June or beginning of July.\u003cbr\u003e Remove the leaves that hide the fruit, in fact, the fruit must receive maximum sunlight.\u003cbr\u003e Place \u003cstrong\u003ewooden boards\u003c\/strong\u003e or tiles under the fruit to protect it from soil moisture and to provide extra warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Melon harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Harvest the fruit about \u003cstrong\u003e2-3 months\u003c\/strong\u003e after transplanting it into the garden. Note its color, which generally fades, and its stalk, which should appear to begin to peel off effortlessly.\u003cbr\u003e You will also smell its fragrance more pronounced.\u003cbr\u003e Don't store it in the refrigerator, which would destroy its delicious aromas. Fully ripe fruits can be identified by their small crevice around the edge of the stem, a sign that the melon will soon detach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Melon diseases\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n \u003cp\u003eMelons are very susceptible to cucurbit \u003cstrong\u003emildew\u003c\/strong\u003e , \u003cstrong\u003eleaf spot\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003epowdery mildew\u003c\/strong\u003e . It is essential to avoid watering the foliage at the end of the day, especially in hot and humid weather (summer storms) because mildew contamination occurs on wet foliage. At the end of the season, you can install a \u003cstrong\u003etile\u003c\/strong\u003e or board under each melon to protect them from moisture.\u003cbr\u003e The main pests are \u003cstrong\u003eaphids\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eseed flies\u003c\/strong\u003e . To avoid fly attacks, plant when temperatures are high enough to allow rapid plant growth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ENSACHAGE FDSM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42111337758801,"sku":"1127A","price":3.8,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0643\/9193\/8129\/files\/1127A-1.jpg?v=1754641989","url":"https:\/\/www.fermedesaintemarthe.live\/en\/products\/melon-chilton-ab","provider":"La Ferme de Sainte Marthe","version":"1.0","type":"link"}