Re: Need Some Help...
Oh Jim maybe you should say" here this one , they have left the best for you ".
:lol: :lol:
Oh Jim maybe you should say" here this one , they have left the best for you ".
:lol: :lol:
Need Some Help...(pic added)
Answering this question. Which is the sweetest? This was asked to me at least a dozen times yesterday about my melons. I grow 4 varieties: Crimson Sweet, Verona, Ledmon, and Moon and Stars. It does no good to tell a customer what my personal favorite is, or the differences in the redness of the melons, or a description of the varieties. It is like comparing tractors, cars, trucks. etc. Sometimes people get a bit preturbed that I cannot tell them what their favorite melon will be. Society grows stranger by the day.
Also, when they decide to buy one they will say "I want the best one that you have." My response is that the lady or man that bought the last one got the best one. Now you get to choose the best of what is left. :lol: They don't know how to handle that one most of the time.
Also, when they decide to buy one they will say "I want the best one that you have." My response is that the lady or man that bought the last one got the best one. Now you get to choose the best of what is left. :lol: They don't know how to handle that one most of the time.
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Re: Need Some Help...
Just to let yall see what I am enjoying, here is a bowl of Ledmon melon that Mrs. Jim has fixed to chill in the refrig for a snack later.
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Just to let yall see what I am enjoying, here is a bowl of Ledmon melon that Mrs. Jim has fixed to chill in the refrig for a snack later.
Re: Need Some Help...
I will send you a message with my address. It's not a popular seed in this area. Mater of fact I don't remember seeing it in the local seed supplier I use. (Bunton)
Melons seem to like this sandy loam soil here. I doubt I would have any trouble growing it. After thinking about it Grandma used to grow Kleckley’s Sweet, and Dixie Queen,
along with the others I mentioned when she was selling melons. A long time ago now, '83 was the last year she raised melons to sell. Was my bride's first and only experience in the melon patch, as we married in Nov. '82
Since, I've always grown Sugar Baby's in our garden. Good sweet little melon, just perfect for two, with minimal waste. This year they weren't as sweet as usual, and had a verrry thick rind. Most likely from the extra hot weather.
If you've got some to spare. I'd like to try it.Jim in NC said:
I will send you a message with my address. It's not a popular seed in this area. Mater of fact I don't remember seeing it in the local seed supplier I use. (Bunton)Melons seem to like this sandy loam soil here. I doubt I would have any trouble growing it. After thinking about it Grandma used to grow Kleckley’s Sweet, and Dixie Queen,
along with the others I mentioned when she was selling melons. A long time ago now, '83 was the last year she raised melons to sell. Was my bride's first and only experience in the melon patch, as we married in Nov. '82
Since, I've always grown Sugar Baby's in our garden. Good sweet little melon, just perfect for two, with minimal waste. This year they weren't as sweet as usual, and had a verrry thick rind. Most likely from the extra hot weather.
Dave, Ledmon seed are not sold here nor are Ledmons grown commercially because low disease resistance and thin rinds. They were the thickest that I can ever remember this year, like you say, cuz of the heat. The seed is not available at feed stores unless the store owner gets some from someone that grows them like me. I once had a feed mill owner ask me to save him 20 pounds of them. :shock: I politely told him to grow his own.
Jimmy, you pose an interesting post! While I can't yet relate on the farmer's market level (ask me again this time next year, the planning's already started ) I can relate on the Produce Manager's position. Since I have been in the trade I have dealt with a few local farms who are able to supply me consistently (season permitting.) I have always had a department that emphasized local farms and offering connections with the grower to promote local agriculture (and our neighbors!)
There is one farm in particular that most of my dealings are with, she grows about 20 acres of produce... and to date the best watermelons I have ever had in my life... though I need to try one of these heirloom's you speak of
She grows 4 main varieties, a Charleston Gray- which I often offer to my customers as the best "old fashioned" watermelon taste.. it can tend to have a hint of the mealiness without being mealy... if that makes any sense... and is extremely sweet and juicy (extra juicy.) Then she grows a variety of a yellow Seedless melon (not exactly sure the name) that is a "unique" experience, being less strong in the watermelon department and more of a sugar-water taste. Then she grows the classic Sugarbaby - which I don't usually recommend when a Charleston Gray is available because they are similar (to me) and the Charleston is sweeter - though the Sugarbaby is a good choice if you aren't needing a lot of melon (they seem to avg. 8-12 lbs, compared to the 30-40+ pound Charleston's.)
MY personal favorite however, are the Revolution seedless melons. Though I generally prefer the sweetness of a seeded when the local aren't available... these melons are the single best watermelon I have ever had... they are seedless (for those whom it matters to... usually day cares and such) but they are extremely sweet and have a rich watermelon flavor. They range from 25lbs to over 40 lbs depending on the melon, and are very dark green in color - generally somewhat oval shaped.
If I have a customer ask me for the best watermelon flavor I usually ask them if they want the melon to me more crisp or juicy and if seeds are an issue. If they want the crisp- I grab them a good Revolution... and if they want to take a bath while they enjoy the sweet goodness I pick them a good Charleston Gray. The yellows are often a hit with the kids though :lol:
Soo... the point of this long post Jimmy is I guess I just try to categorize them by texture and sweetness level and at times will just keep one of each aside and cut as need be to let them try if I can't talk it in to them :lol: You are absolutely correct though - only the customer can truly decide what they want. Now... I just need to get my hands on a good Ledmon!
) I can relate on the Produce Manager's position. Since I have been in the trade I have dealt with a few local farms who are able to supply me consistently (season permitting.) I have always had a department that emphasized local farms and offering connections with the grower to promote local agriculture (and our neighbors!) There is one farm in particular that most of my dealings are with, she grows about 20 acres of produce... and to date the best watermelons I have ever had in my life... though I need to try one of these heirloom's you speak of
She grows 4 main varieties, a Charleston Gray- which I often offer to my customers as the best "old fashioned" watermelon taste.. it can tend to have a hint of the mealiness without being mealy... if that makes any sense... and is extremely sweet and juicy (extra juicy.) Then she grows a variety of a yellow Seedless melon (not exactly sure the name) that is a "unique" experience, being less strong in the watermelon department and more of a sugar-water taste. Then she grows the classic Sugarbaby - which I don't usually recommend when a Charleston Gray is available because they are similar (to me) and the Charleston is sweeter - though the Sugarbaby is a good choice if you aren't needing a lot of melon (they seem to avg. 8-12 lbs, compared to the 30-40+ pound Charleston's.)
MY personal favorite however, are the Revolution seedless melons. Though I generally prefer the sweetness of a seeded when the local aren't available... these melons are the single best watermelon I have ever had... they are seedless (for those whom it matters to... usually day cares and such) but they are extremely sweet and have a rich watermelon flavor. They range from 25lbs to over 40 lbs depending on the melon, and are very dark green in color - generally somewhat oval shaped.
If I have a customer ask me for the best watermelon flavor I usually ask them if they want the melon to me more crisp or juicy and if seeds are an issue. If they want the crisp- I grab them a good Revolution... and if they want to take a bath while they enjoy the sweet goodness I pick them a good Charleston Gray. The yellows are often a hit with the kids though :lol:
Soo... the point of this long post Jimmy is I guess I just try to categorize them by texture and sweetness level and at times will just keep one of each aside and cut as need be to let them try if I can't talk it in to them :lol: You are absolutely correct though - only the customer can truly decide what they want. Now... I just need to get my hands on a good Ledmon!
Jimmy, I had never thought of that before, if anything I had always thought that a person would be more trusting of an honest farmer than of a representative of a larger company - but I can see your side - it was just one I had never thought of before. It does sound like you are doing pretty well though - repeat customers are the sign of satisfaction no matter how large or small. Ultimately your name and reputation are the only things that you have, and if you are doing well enough that people are recognizing them in a positive light - then you're doing just fine We can never please everybody, but some people please more than others - I would say that many of the great people on this forum are in that "some" category Which also says a lot about this place. Kind of interesting of the similar backgrounds had resulting in some similar personal qualities.
We can never please everybody, but some people please more than others - I would say that many of the great people on this forum are in that "some" category Which also says a lot about this place. Kind of interesting of the similar backgrounds had resulting in some similar personal qualities.1 - 16 of 16 Posts
