Giant Winter Melon

Winter Melon is a white-fleshed melon that is covered in a fuzzy coating of fine hairs when young and a waxy coating when mature. White Skin Giant Winter Melon can grow up to 30 lbs at maturity. This versatile melon originated in South Asia and is popular in Eastern continents where it recognized for its medicinal properties. It is often cooked in soups and stews, stir-fried, and can also be candied or made in to sweet tea. It is one of the few vegetables available during winter in areas of deciduous vegetation in the East and has a long shelf life.In traditional Eastern and Ayurveda medicine, winter melon has been used to improve digestive function, help reduce symptoms of asthma and other lung problems, and is also used as a diuretic to aid in flushing toxins from the body naturally.

Also Known As: Pink or White Indian Ash Gourd, Wax Gourd, Chinese Dong Gua, Tallow Pumpkin, Fuzzy Hair Melon, Alu Puhul, Chinese Winter Melon, Fuzzy Melon, Tallow Melon, Sweet Melon, Winter Gourd, Chang Gua.

Plant Name:	Winter Melon, White Skin Giant
Latin Name:	Benincasa hispida
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	95
Plant Height:	9 - 18 Inches
Spread:	10 - 15 Feet
Growth Habit:	Vining
USDA Zones:	3-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 8 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Winter Squash grows best in warm weather.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. Optionally, Train plants to climb a 6-8 foot trellis or fence as they establish.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in mid-late spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. Fall planting is not typically recommended unless planting in climates with mild winters (USDA Zones 9-11) - plant at least 3-4 months before the first expected frost date - or growing indoors at >70F using supplemental grow lights.

To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 4 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Optionally, train plants to climb a 6-8 foot trellis or fence as they establish, spacing plants 3 feet apart at the base. Winter Melons may require support as they grow.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	4 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	3 feet (trellis) or 8 feet (sprawl)

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once to twice a week. If there is no rainfall, water 3-4 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-3 weeks after germination, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Optionally, continue fertilizing every 3-4 weeks as plants grow, especially after flowering begins. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Winter Melons can be harvested when they reach full maturity, typically 100 to 110 days after planting. The best time to harvest is when the skin has developed, the rind is hard, and the stem has begun to dry and brown. To check for ripeness, press a fingernail against the skin - if it resists puncturing, the squash is ready. Harvest before the first hard frost, as cold temperatures can damage the fruit. Use sharp garden shears or a knife to cut the squash from the vine, leaving at least 2 to 4 inches of stem attached to prolong storage life. After harvesting, cure the winter squash in a warm, dry place for 10 to 14 days to harden the skin and enhance flavor. Properly cured Winter Melons can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months.