Monty Don's Outdoor Melon Trial Part Three: Harvesting and Results

Gardening guru Monty Don's outdoor melon trial has been followed closely by garden enthusiasts all around the world. In the previous two parts of this series, we discussed how to grow melons outdoors in the UK climate and how to care for them throughout the growing season. In this third and final part, we will focus on the exciting moment of harvesting and the results that Monty achieved in his melon trial.

Harvesting the Melons

After months of anticipation, it was finally time to harvest the melons. Monty had been carefully monitoring the ripeness of the fruit, looking for signs such as a change in color and a sweet aroma. He explained that when it comes to harvesting melons, it's better to wait until they are fully ripe rather than picking them too early.

Monty started by cutting the stem of each melon with a sharp knife, leaving a short length attached to the fruit. He then gently lifted each one off the ground and placed it into a basket, being careful to avoid any damage to the skin. As he worked his way through the plants, he couldn't help but admire the beautiful fruits that he had grown.

The Results

So, how did Monty's outdoor melon trial turn out? The results were nothing short of impressive. Out of the ten plants that he grew, eight produced fruit, with a combined weight of over 20kg.

Monty revealed that the melons had a lovely sweet flavor, which he described as "like honeydew but more fragrant." He also noted that the texture was soft and juicy, with a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

One interesting observation from the trial was that the melons that received the most sun produced the largest fruit. Monty speculated that this could be due to the higher levels of sugars that develop in the fruit as a result of increased photosynthesis.

There you have it, the conclusion of Monty Don's outdoor melon trial. From planting the seeds to harvesting the fruit, we've explored every step of the process. If you're thinking about growing melons outdoors in the UK, take inspiration from Monty's success and give it a go!

Ripe melon harvested from the garden

Outdoor melon growing, UK gardening, growing fruit at home, vegetable gardening, harvest techniques