The Seed of the Month: Cucamelon
We don’t know much about the time when cucamelon originated, but we know the place. It’s the hot destination of Mexico.
Cucamelon is an edible fruit, about the size of a grape. The cucamelon tastes like a zesty cucumber.
You can eat cucamelon straight from vines, and it’s a great companion to salads, perfectly teamed with cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, mozzarella, sweet peppers, and many more. You can stir fry them, or you can replace the olives and use as a garnish for your favourite cocktails, or lemonades.
The Benefits
Eating cucamelon is beneficial for your health, as they are full of vitamin C, antioxidants and fibre.
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Let's Get Growing…
S E E D O F T H E M O N T H
Melothria scabra
INDOOR SOWING: April to May
HARVEST: July to September
S O W I N G I N D O O R S
Sow seed 1.5cm deep in individual 9cm pots under glass at a constant day and night temperature of 21°C.
When the plants are about 10cm tall, plant outdoors in a sheltered spot once hardened off and all risk of frost has past.
Grow up against netting or allow to trail along the ground. Provide some form of support and tie in stems as required.
Pick regularly to ensure a continuous crop. Cucamelon is a perennial, why not lift roots in the autumn and store in a cool, frost free area and plant out again the following year.
