Questions about watermelons

[ducks4you]

Oh...don't forget--you can make yummy, make the kitchen smell incredible WATERMELON PICKLES, too!!!! :weight

You use the rind for the pickles...you know, the part nobody ever eats?!

 

[curly_kate]

I am growing OrangeFlesh Tendersweet this year. I love the yellows over the reds but I never had an orange on!

I did Oranglo from Baker Creek last year, and the ones I got were delicious! I heard the tip about pruning the vines, but by the time I did it, it was too late to make a difference. I had a bunch of little melons that were never going to ripen. Also, you can make watermelon jelly if you have leftover melons. It was a little too sweet for me, but my nieces & nephew loved it!

 

[journey11]

I've never tried watermelon pickles or jelly...but I'll look into that! My chickens love the rinds, so I usually give it to them. They eat it down to just the skin!

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

yeah, my chickens loved it last year when i gave it to them on warm and hot days! also found it was a good way to keep them hydrated during transport without having to carry water in a container. the hard part was there was never enough to satisfy them!

someone mentioned they preferred the yellow watermelons over the red. is there a difference in taste? sweeter or just something different like the way they grow?

 

[journey11]

I've always wondered how the nutrient content of the yellow/orange watermelons might differ from the red. As I understand it, doesn't color usually indicate particular vitamins? Just curious, does anybody know?

 

[obsessed]

I mentioned the yellow. I *think* they taste sweet. But it is more likely a mental artifact from my childhood. Where a yellow melon was a tasty treat bought only on very special occasions.

 

[HiDelight]

this year it is me against the cucurbits thanks for this info..keep em warm ..and lots of fert

I am thinking of starting half inside and half outside but wondering what you guys know about transplanting them?

I have heard they really do not like their roots messed with so was going to use peat pots?

 

[Pringlays]

Wow im gone for a day and theres 16 posts awaiting me lol,thanks for all the info im gonna put it to good use and hopefully have a decent watermelon harvest,im only going to plant about 5-6 watermelon plants since I dont want them to take up the whole garden.

 

[ducks4you]

I've never tried watermelon pickles or jelly...but I'll look into that! My chickens love the rinds, so I usually give it to them. They eat it down to just the skin!

I'll get you the recipe..I made them for my eldest DD, and you have to put together a bag of spices and lemon slices that you boil before you can the rind. It smells... HEAVENLY!!!...even if you don't like the finished product.

 

[desertgirl]

I've never tried watermelon pickles or jelly...but I'll look into that! My chickens love the rinds, so I usually give it to them. They eat it down to just the skin!

I'll get you the recipe..I made them for my eldest DD, and you have to put together a bag of spices and lemon slices that you boil before you can the rind. It smells... HEAVENLY!!!...even if you don't like the finished product.

Could I get that recipe too, please??!! that sounds just wonderful!row