A Few Melons and More Melons from the Late Patch (pics)

3915 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Jim in NC, Aug 16, 2012

Jim in NC

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2012

I started gathering some of these last week. Another load will finish most of the larger ones, and there will be about 3 loads of smaller-than-a-basketball sized ones thanks to the heat and drought. The early patch had very few Crimson Sweet keepers. Most were just too small. I have been gathering them in 5 gallon buckets and taking most of them to the cows.

They do have a great taste. I just need more buyers. They are moving slow like many things connected to the economy. Well, the cows, us, close friends and neighbors will enjoy them :!:
Too bad I can't can or freeze them. :idea:

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Jim in NC

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 14, 2012

Re: A Few Melons from the Late Patch (pics)

petra79 said:
Sure, post these pics AFTER I've had my evening snack :lol: :lol: Looks like a good load there Jim. Guess I'll have to stop by the farm stand tomorrow

Swing by this way Ron and we'll put a few in that new rig of yours :!:

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Jim in NC

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 15, 2012

Re: A Few Melons from the Late Patch (pics)

Brandon, the striped ones are Crimson Sweet, and the green ones are Ledmons, an heirloom. Ledmons are what my grandaddys, great-grandaddys, uncles, great-uncles, and the melon farmers grew when I was growing up. People that remember them will buy them over anything one has.
They are susceptable to the "wilt" and have a very thin rind. These things made it impossible for them to be shipped and grown commercially.
One has to guess where to plant them, and experience is a great teacher. You could plant an acre of them and wind up with nothing or a bumper crop if the land is free of viruses and bacteria.
I have many more small ones than large ones, and will never sell them all. They are ripening fast. We picked up a load of Veronas from the early patch today, and shoulda got a load out of the late patch too. I can store them for about 10 days, and most will be good. I just need more people to stop when they see me on the side of the road :!:

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Jim in NC

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 15, 2012

Re: A Few Melons from the Late Patch (pics)

Ernie, NC is full of wine makers. Most grapes are grown on former tobacco fields. I don't know if watermelon wine has ever been made, but watermelon wine sounds fine :!:

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Jim in NC

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 16, 2012

Re: A Few Melons from the Late Patch (pics)

Ernie, does the huge amount of water in watermelons cause the winemaking process to be more difficult?

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