Noir de Carmes Melon (Cucumis melo)

A revered French heirloom, cultivated by Carmelite monks in the 1800s, Noir de Carmes is a gorgeous, spherical melon that grows well throughout the US, including northern climates. With ebony-green skin that matures to a speckled orange, this sugary cantaloupe is succulent and aromatic. To prevent splitting, do not overwater near maturity. 25 seeds minimum Germination: 4-10 days Maturity: 75-80 days Direct sow ½” deep in full sun after last frost or start indoors 3-4 weeks prior to past frost. Harden off seedlings before planting. Plant in hills of 6-8 seeds; thin to 3-4 plants. Hills should be 6’ apart in all directions, or plant in rows and thin to 8-12” between plants in rows 6-8” apart.