This year I actually got various transplants in the ground - on time! On February 15th I transplanted some tomatoes (we have been harvesting them for about 3-4 weeks now) cantaloupe and Blacktail Mountain Watermelon.
I forgot to take a picture of the cantaloupe - which we ate and I saved seeds from.
And the Blacktail Mountain Watermelon.
Because of the placement of the vines (I was trying something new - limited foot space but growing up a string/pipe trellis, the various shading from the surrounding trees did limit sunlight so while the vines were (and still are) nice and healthy we only got 2 useable fruit off the cantaloupe (sweet and delicious) and 1 nice one off the watermelon. Who knows if the vines live through the summer I may get more fruit later on. :-)
It is as described over at Baker Creek - sweet and delicious!
"70 days. One of the earliest watermelons we know of, superb for the north, but it also grows well in heat and drought. The flesh is red and deliciously sweet. Fruit have a dark rind and weigh 8-12 lbs. each. This excellent variety was developed by our friend Glenn Drowns, owner of the Sand Hill Preservation Center in Iowa. A favorite of many gardeners across the USA. One of the best we have ever tried!" -- http://www.rareseeds.com/blacktail-mountain-watermelon/
I am also saving seeds from this melon.
Free Seed Share
And about saving seeds, some of the seeds in my seed bank I bring to the upcoming Seed Share at Mesa Community Farmers Market are from my gardens.
If you are not aware of (just 1 of the reasons for savings seed from something you have grown) a process usually called "regional adaptation" - meaning re-sowing seed grown in an area, your garden, becomes better adapted and productive with each successive generation.
This Friday, June 26th,
9 a.m. - Noon
Mesa Community Farmers Market
Center Street, South of University
I host this event 3 times a year to coincide with the next sowing season. Fall sowing begins the middle to July.
You do not have to bring seed to pick up some. If you bring seed, please bring only organic or naturally grown non-gmo either from your garden or purchased. I suggest focusing on edible varieties.
I hope to see you Friday! Have a great week.
-- Catherine, The Herb Lady
My books and planting calendar are available in print or as PDFs
My Publisher
You can also find the books at these other options on the internet
Ibook
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/catherine-crowley/id372564893?mt=11
amazon - print
http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Crowley/e/B002C1HWG0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1367065857&sr=1-2-ent
Barnes & Noble - print and Nook ebook
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/catherine-crowley
Kobo
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Search?query=Catherine%20Crowley&fcsearchfield=Author
