Description
Harvested from the gardens at Monticello.
In 1811 Thomas Jefferson sent seed of the popular Nutmeg Melon, "which I know to be fine", to his son-in-law, John Wayles Eppes. Mentioned in Bernard McMahon's The American Gardener's Calendar, 1806, this aromatic, oval-shaped melon with heavily netted skin and sweet, green flesh, was commonly distributed by American seed merchants. Fearing Burr wrote in Field and Garden Vegetables of America, 1863: "[when] the fruit is perfectly ripe, it is of most delicious excellence and deservedly ranked as one of the best". Jefferson-documented: This plant was documented by Thomas Jefferson in his Garden Book, Notes on the State of Virginia, or other writings.
Direct sow seeds in hills or rows after the last spring frost; for hills, sow 6-8 seeds per 18"-wide hill, then thin to the best 3 plants per hill. To grow in a shorter season, start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Approximately 25-30 seeds per packet.
| Exposure | Planting Method | Planting Depth | Days to Emerge | Plant Spacing | Days to Maturity | Size at Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | Direct Sow | 1/2" | 5-12 | Thin to plants 2' apart, rows 5-6'; or hills 4-5' apart | 85 | 12-18"H |
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