Senga's Blog
Eco-chic Outdoor Living & Exterior Design
Feb. 10/2010 – The Planning Stage: Heirloom Cantalope 'Minnesota Midget'
Nature’s Dessert 
When I think of long hot summers I think about slices of melons, cantaloupe, watermelon, Honeydews – succulent and oh so sweet! And what better way to celebrate the hazy lazy days of summer with dessert picked fresh off the vine. But in our Northern climate this can be a bit of a challenge. Enter the heirloom ‘Minnesota Midget’
This vintage fruit developed by the University of Minnesota in 1948 grow in short seasons such as ours in Canada. It is a member of the curcurbitaceae family which includes crops such as cucumbers, squashes and melons. And to confuse matters more Minnesota Midget is a Cantalope that is technically a muskmelon which have distinctive netted skins and a musky odour. Although developed in the USA these fruits originally heralded from the Middle East.
Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamins A and C.
Heirloom Cucumis melo ‘Minnesota Midget’ Information You Need to Know
Botanical name: Cucumis melo ‘Minnesota Midget’
Common Name: Minnesota Midget Cantalope
Country of Origin: USA
Description: Extra early, compact vines that seldom grow over 3'. The round fruits are 3-1/2" to 4" with thick golden-yellow flesh, edible to the rind
Best harvested: When it has a strong melon odour and netting pattern on rind becomes prominent on melon. Stem will slip easily when melon is rotated.
Time to Plant: April 1 Indoors and wait until soil warms up before relocating outdoors
Where to Sow and Grow: Transplant when soil warms up to 70 degrees and place under cloches to mitigate late cold snaps. They prefer sandy, well-aerated soil and need consistent moisture until the fruits begin to ripen
Space: 30cm (12”) apart and trellis or use in containers
Maturity: 60-100 Days
Tip: Melon plants have sparse leaves and need a lot of sunshine and heat to mature their fruit. Their roots are delicate and require high nutrition and lots of water. They don’t get any sweeter after they are harvested. In a garden, you can leave them on the vine as long as possible, so they can pick up that last surge of sucrose.
Taste: Sweet and flavourful
Uses: Freshly sliced, scooped as fruit salad or cold soups, perfect natural dessert.
Place in Square Foot Garden: On edible green roof I will plant one or two in the section of trellised vines. And if I have room – I will pair it with my upside hanging planter that will contain my ‘upside down’ planted tomatoes. A master plan of the garden layout will follow in next few weeks.
