{"product_id":"melon-prescott-fond-blanc","title":"Melon, 'Prescott Fond Blanc'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(C. melo)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eDespite the American tendency to use the terms “muskmelon” and “cantaloupe” interchangeably, this is a true cantaloupe, something actually quite uncommon in this country. Native to France, where it is prized, this melon was grown in the US as early as 1850. We find most people mistake it for winter squash at market for its unusual lumpy skin and squat shape. The drought-tolerant plants prefer a \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edry season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e to reach their best quality. True cantaloupes do not slip when ripe. We pick ours when the skin starts to turn from slate grey to a blushed tannish\/yellow, becomes very fragrant, and yields to slight pressure at the blossom end (think avocado). Food historian William Woys Weaver recommends picking them slightly earlier and ripening them on a windowsill (about a week) for the sweetest fruit. Ethereal, intoxicating fragrance and very thick flesh. \u003cbr\u003e85 days. TR\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacket: 25 seeds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[split]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eGrowing Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOWING:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil moist before emergence, growing at 80-90F, reducing to 75F. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransplant out 2-3 weeks after your last frost date, when soil has sufficiently warmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow after 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil is 70F+.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote:\u003c\/em\u003e Provide ample and even water when transplanting, and take care not to disturb roots. \u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLANTING DEPTH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1\/2\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPACING:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18-24\" spacing in rows 5' apart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEMERGENCE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5-10 days @ soil temp 75-85F\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLIGHT:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFERTILITY:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium. Prefers well-drained, evenly moist, and well-balanced fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7. Avoid the addition of excess Nitrogen to soil. Phosphorus and potassium are key for healthy fruit set. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eADDITIONAL NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe gentle while transplanting to keep root system undisturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsistent warmth and water is essential. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRow cover may be used for extra warmth and possible earlier fruit set. Remove as plants begin to flower. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep transplants through fruit set well watered. Cut back water a week or so before ripe to avoid bland tasting fruit. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Uprising Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Pkt","offer_id":37724474015918,"sku":"MEL-PF-pkt","price":4.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\/2 oz","offer_id":37724474048686,"sku":"MEL-PF-1\/2oz","price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 oz","offer_id":37724474081454,"sku":"MEL-PF-1oz","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0504\/6203\/2046\/products\/prescott_fond_blanc_2.jpg?v=1606175468","url":"https:\/\/www.uprisingorganics.sbs\/products\/melon-prescott-fond-blanc","provider":"Uprising Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}