You may not know this, but watermelons do famously in South Dakota. In fact, the town of Forestburg provides the state with watermelons, and it’s good business. Glaciers cut through East-Central South Dakota in ancient times, leaving the sandy silt of moraines along and within its path. While much of eastern South Dakota has clay soil, that particular strip of land along the James River is sandy for that reason, making it suitable for watermelon farming.
https://www.southdakotamagazine.com/watermelon-capital
I may not have the same sandy soil, but with some amendments, I can and do grow watermelons and cantaloupe in my suburban backyard garden.
All seeds grown in the high wind, lower rain prairie, Midwest, in macro-climate zone 5(ish). Average dewpoint in summer is around 60. Soil is a loamy clay. Although my preference is organic, I have used commercial fertilizers from time to time. Growing Days approximately 135. Gardening Personality: Relaxed, experimental, purist about very little. We practice High Intensity gardening.
Cantaloupe
Madhu – I call this the fussy melon. It pushes the limits of our zone, as it is native to India and a late season melon. But WOW. Last year I finally got the timing correct and it was the best melon I have ever had. You bet I saved those seeds! Whether it breeds true, well, you might have to check back this summer or follow me on youtube. My hopes are high! Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
Sugar Cube – Last year was my first year growing Sugar Cube, recommended by James Prigioni. It tasted good, prolific plant. Worth growing another year instead of giving the seeds away. Seeds purchased from Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
Charentais – My favorite melon before I tried the Madhu. This is an always grow variety in my garden. Very sweet. Gotta watch them as they go from unripe to over-ripe in two days. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek
Petit Gris de Rennes – Last year was my first year growing this melon as well. Prolific, sweet. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
Huerfano Bliss – This will be the first year growing this melon. A friend of mine insisted I try it and gifted me the seeds. Thrilled to see what this melon can do.
Honeydew
Sakata – Iffy on growing this again, but can I really leave seeds unplanted? Probably not. The first melons from the vines were bland, yet the later season melons were very sweet. So I will try again. You absolutely can eat the skin and these melons are the size of an apple. Prolific. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek
Mystery Honeydew – Harvested seed from a super sweet delicious melon I bought at the Farmer’s Market. I am generally not a honeydew lover, but it was on sale and it was in the fall, past watermelon season. Glad I bought it. The melon was a green flesh, green rind honeydew, a very large one. Godspeed this one is true to type as well. It was tasty.
Watermelon
Strawberry – Older seeds, just using them up. Medium-large melon with red flesh. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
Orangeglo – My absolute favorite watermelon. I first had a bite of this sweet melon a decade ago, when I worked for a small farmer. Where had sugar orange watermelons been all my life? Large melon and a must grow in every garden I ever have. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
Sugar Baby – Some old seeds, generic. Small melon with red flesh.
Blacktail Mountain – Solid producer of early melons. Seeds are six years old, just running out the pack. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek
Doll Babies – Small icebox watermelons with either yellow or red flesh. Seeds purchased from Renee’s Garden.
Rainbow Sherbet – Small icebox melons with either red, yellow or orange flesh. Seeds purchased from Renee’s Garden.
Leelanau – New to me this year. A large watermelon with orange flesh. Seed purchased from Baker Creek.
Cucumber
China Jade – New to me this year. It is a long cuke with thin skin similar to the Suyo Long. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
Beit Alpha – Small snacking cuke, with thin skin. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
Muncher – Small snacking cuke, with thin skin. Seeds purchased from Baker Creek.
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The End