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We all have things that we have had to learn to deal with and overcome in our lives. For me it is color blindness. One in every 12 men are color blind while one in every 200 women are color blind. The trait is genetic and runs in families.
I have also managed to pass my color blindness on to both a son and a grandson. This condition can make it very difficult to tell when vegetables are ripe. I have always especially struggled with watermelons until now. This year I grew an heirloom variety called “Royal Golden” from Bakers Creek. This variety has worked out great for me. While planted and grown just like a traditional watermelon this melon goes from green to yellow when ripe. I can see the difference between green and yellow. So I know when my watermelons look like pumpkins out in the field it is time to pick. Problem solved. The foliage tends to turn yellow also.
When it first started out it looked like a traditional green watermelon with some yellow spots. As it ripens both the melon and the vine turn a bright golden yellow.
When it turned yellow I picked them and was pleasantly surprised to find a perfectly ripe and sweet traditional pink ripe melon inside. My watermelons averaged out at about 20 pounds.
A great old variety for those of you that struggle with telling when a melon is ripe.
Blessings from The Holler
The Canned Quilter
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2022-09-08 16:10:00
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.
