Fourth melon in 2008
Today I harvested 4 melons in one day. Two complete ripe, two had slippe from the plant, but still ned a day or two to reach perfect ripeness.
The fourth melon is typical for the larger (still small) outdoor melons, weight 262 gram. Surface nettet, flesh orange, sweet and aromatic. Excellent size for two persons.
Fifth melon in 2008
The fifth melon is suitable for a single person. Weight 130 gram, nettet surface, flesh orange, sweet and aromatic. Most of the seeds have not developed, but there are a few that looks excellent.
I clean the seeds in a glas of water overnight, a tiny pinch of enzyme washing powder added. Next day the good seeds have sunk to the bottom, and the floating bad seeds and debris can be discarded. After a last washing in a strainer, they dry on a little plate.
In the toad's garden 
August 19, 2008 at 23:14
Hello, maybe this is a stupid question, but how do you see a melon is ready to harvest? It has to detach easily from the plant? It has to be soft when you touch it? Its my first year with melons, and I have no idea when to pick them.
August 20, 2008 at 20:17
Definitely not a stupid question. The answer is more likely to be stupid.
If it detach on the touch, I bring it indoor. If it has a strong aromatic smell I eat it. I guess there is something about the soft touch, but I’ve been doing well with the two first “tests”, and not really tryed the soft touch.
I’m not yet experienced in melon growing, and has to breed a variety for my northern climate, to grow them without glass.
Basicly I write about my melons, to inspire other amateur melon breeders, who might even do it better than I.