Renee's Garden Watermelon Trio Rainbow Sherbet

Planting:
Starting Seedlings Outdoors
Melons need full sun, rich soil and warm temperatures. Plant only when weather is warm and night temperatures stay above 50°F. Make slightly rounded hills 2' in diameter and 5' apart. Sow 5 - 6 seeds 1" deep in a small circle in top of each hill. When seedlings have several sets of leaves, be sure to thin to the 3 strongest plants in each hill.

Start Early Indoors
No more than several weeks before the last frost, sow seeds in individual pots of seed starting mix. Keep warm and moist, and provide a strong light source until weather warms enough to transplant outdoors.

Growing: Amend soil with aged manure or compost. If summers are short or cool, put down black plastic to retain heat, then plant into holes made in plastic. Where insects are a problem, cover seedlings with floating row covers to exclude them, removing when plants blossom. Keep young vines well watered and fed, tapering off as fruits ripen up for best sweet flavor.

Harvest & Use: Pick melons when the tendril closest to the fruit turns brown, and the light patch on the bottom of the melon changes from cream to tan. These small fruitful watermelons keep well in the refrigerator, even after being cut open. You can cut juicy wedges of all 3 colors for summer parties and picnics.