Hale`s Best Melon History

Hale’s Best melon is a classic favorite dating back to the 1920s. It was introduced into the market by I.D. Hale, hence the name, who discovered this varietal in Imperial County near Brawley, CA under development by a Japanese grower. This cantaloupe, or muskmelon, has heavily netted skin with thick walls and a small seed cavity, allowing for more of its mouth-watering, sweet fruit. It is more tolerant of drought than other cantaloupes and can be grown in a wider variety of climates. Like all melons, Hale’s Best needs 2-3 months of summer heat, so growing Hale’s Best melons may be a bit more of a challenge in the North, but not impossible.

Hale`s Best Musk Melon Growing Instructions

If you live in a colder climate, growing melons can still be done. You could plant the seeds in the ground and use black plastic mulch, allowing the seeds to grow up through the plastic. The plastic will keep the ground warm around the growing melons as well as help keep weeds to a minimum. In colder climates, you can also start by planting melons indoors. Once the weather is right, you can transplant your seedlings outdoors. The plants are quite sensitive to cooler temperatures. Therefore, before planting melons outdoors, make sure you harden your seedlings so they will survive.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Planting Melons: Information On Growing Melons https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/melons/growing-melons.htm

Preserving And Storing Melons

Preparation – Select firm-fleshed, well-colored, ripe melons. Cut in half, remove seeds and rind. Cut melons into slices, cubes or balls.

Syrup Pack – Pack into containers and cover with cold 30 percent syrup. Leave headspace. Seal and freeze.

Unsweetened Pack – Pack into containers, leaving headspace. Seal and freeze.

Hale`s Best Melon Recipe

Puréed cantaloupe that has been frozen has a remarkably creamy texture that almost tastes like ice cream.

Melon Nutrition

A one-cup serving of cantaloupe has only 53 calories, but it contains 106 percent of the vitamin A daily value and 95 percent of vitamin C. It’s also a good source of potassium and folate. A cup of honeydew has 60 calories, 51 percent vitamin C daily value and 11 percent of potassium. Honeydew also contains some fiber, folate and vitamin B6. Watermelon contains the least amount of calories, coming in at 46 calories per one-cup serving. However, it’s loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, which is linked to decreased risk of cancer, heart disease and age-related eye disorders, and contains a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium

Other Melon Varieties Worth Checking Out

Moon And Stars

 Ancient