Rockmelon

Cucumis melo

Apple is an unusual Russian heirloom Rockmelon producing large, oblong fruits with yellow skin attractively striped with green. Its distinctive flavour is sweet, juicy and often compared to the crisp, aromatic sweetness of a nashi pear.

An excellent fresh-eating melon, it is best enjoyed chilled and sliced, added to fruit salads or served simply on its own. The unusual colouring and pear-like flavour make it a particularly interesting variety for heirloom melon growers.

Originating in Russia, Apple reflects the remarkable diversity of Cucumis melo, a species that has been selected across Asia, Europe and the Middle East for an enormous range of fruit shapes, colours, textures and flavours.

Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and allow approximately 60–100 cm between plants, with plenty of room for vines to spread. Keep consistently watered while plants establish and fruits develop, reducing excess watering as fruits approach maturity to encourage good flavour.

Harvest when fruits have developed their characteristic yellow and green colouring and are fragrant and fully mature.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Hales Best is a classic heirloom Rockmelon producing well-rounded fruits with heavily netted skin and rich orange flesh. Sweet, aromatic and juicy, it has the traditional muskmelon flavour that made it a long-standing favourite with home gardeners.

Developed in California in the early 20th century by Japanese-American market gardener I. D. Hale, Hales Best became commercially popular during the 1920s. It was valued for its excellent flavour, relatively early maturity and dependable production, and remains a widely grown heirloom today.

Plants are vigorous and productive with useful resistance to powdery mildew. Fruits are best harvested fully ripe for maximum sweetness and fragrance.

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for vines to spread. Keep consistently watered during establishment, flowering and fruit development, avoiding prolonged waterlogging.

Harvest when fruits are fragrant, fully coloured and beginning to separate readily from the vine.

Maturity: approximately 75–88 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Hales Best is a classic heirloom Rockmelon producing well-rounded fruits with heavily netted skin and rich orange flesh. Sweet, aromatic and juicy, it has the traditional muskmelon flavour that made it a long-standing favourite with home gardeners.

Developed in California in the early 20th century by Japanese-American market gardener I. D. Hale, Hales Best became commercially popular during the 1920s. It was valued for its excellent flavour, relatively early maturity and dependable production, and remains a widely grown heirloom today.

Plants are vigorous and productive with useful resistance to powdery mildew. Fruits are best harvested fully ripe for maximum sweetness and fragrance.

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for vines to spread. Keep consistently watered during establishment, flowering and fruit development, avoiding prolonged waterlogging.

Harvest when fruits are fragrant, fully coloured and beginning to separate readily from the vine.

Maturity: approximately 75–88 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Hearts Of Gold is a classic heirloom Rockmelon producing fruits up to approximately 1 kg with thick, deep orange flesh. Firm, juicy and intensely flavoured, the flesh develops excellent sweetness even when fruits are picked a few days before full ripeness.

Released in 1895, Hearts Of Gold became one of the most popular melons of the early 20th century. Its rich flavour and dependable cropping earned it a place in both market gardens and home vegetable patches, and it remains a fine choice for gardeners seeking an old-fashioned muskmelon with excellent eating quality.

Enjoy fresh and chilled, in fruit salads or paired with salty and savoury flavours. For the richest flavour, allow fruits to ripen fully wherever possible.

Approximately 15 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for vines to spread. Keep consistently watered during establishment, flowering and fruit development.

Harvest when fruits are fragrant, well coloured and fully mature. Although Hearts Of Gold maintains good flavour when picked slightly early, vine-ripened fruits will generally develop the greatest sweetness.

Maturity: approximately 70–90 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Honeydew is a classic sweet melon producing rounded fruits with smooth, pale skin and thick, juicy green flesh. Exceptionally sweet when fully ripe, it has a refreshing flavour and firm texture that makes it excellent eaten chilled, added to fruit salads or paired with savoury ingredients.

Honeydew melons belong to an ancient group of smooth-skinned melons with origins in western Asia and North Africa. The familiar Honeydew type became particularly popular in Europe and later North America, prized for its sweetness, storage ability and suitability for transport.

Plants prefer a long, warm growing season and perform particularly well in warm, relatively dry climates. The fruits mature more slowly than many rockmelons but reward the wait with excellent keeping and shipping qualities.

Approximately 25 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for vines to spread. Keep consistently watered during establishment, flowering and fruit development, but avoid excessive moisture as fruits approach maturity.

Harvest when fruits have developed their mature pale colouring and a sweet aroma. Honeydew does not always slip readily from the vine like some netted rockmelons, so colour, fragrance and maturity should be used together to judge ripeness.

Maturity: approximately 95–105 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Indian Cream Cobra is an unusual heirloom Melon producing distinctive fruits with pale flesh and a characteristically drier texture than conventional rockmelons. The flavour is mild and gently sweet, and the flesh can be drizzled with honey for a richer dessert.

The fruit naturally splits when fully ripe, providing a useful indication that it is ready to harvest. Watch developing melons closely as maturity approaches and pick promptly once splitting begins.

Originating from India, this variety represents one of the many diverse melon forms cultivated across the Indian subcontinent, where Cucumis melo has been grown and selected for centuries. Its unusual texture and ripening habit make it an interesting addition to an heirloom melon collection.

Approximately 25 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for the vines to spread. Keep consistently watered during establishment, flowering and fruit development, reducing excess moisture as fruits approach maturity.

Harvest promptly when fruits are fully mature and begin to split naturally.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Ogen, also known as Ha-Ogen, Israel Cantaloupe or Desert Melon, is a rare heirloom prized for its exceptional flavour and fragrance. Believed to be an Israeli selection of an ancient Eastern European melon, it produces small fruits 12–15 cm in diameter, typically weighing 1–2 kg. The smooth golden-yellow rind is marked with green ribs, while the thick pale green flesh is juicy, aromatic and intensely sweet with delicate honey, tropical and floral notes. Ogen performs well in cooler climates and is an excellent choice for home gardeners seeking a truly distinctive melon.

Approximately 25–35 seeds per gram
Approximately 10 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August (dry season)
Subtropics: September to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to December

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in full sun once the danger of frost has passed. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1.5–2 m between rows, or allow vines to spread freely. Keep well watered during flowering and fruit development, reducing watering slightly as fruit ripens to encourage sweetness. Harvest after approximately 70–95 days when the fruit develops a rich fragrance and begins to slip easily from the vine.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Pele de Sapo is a traditional Spanish Melon producing large, oblong fruits up to approximately 2.5 kg. The green skin is mottled with darker green markings, while inside is crisp, juicy white flesh with exceptional sweetness.

The name translates from Portuguese as “toad skin”, a reference to its distinctive mottled rind. In Spain it is closely associated with the Piel de Sapo or Santa Claus group of melons, prized for their sweetness and remarkably long storage life.

The firm flesh is refreshing and aromatic, excellent eaten chilled, added to fruit platters and salads, or paired with cheeses and cured meats. Its keeping ability makes it particularly useful for extending the melon season after harvest.

Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for vines to spread. Keep consistently watered during establishment and fruit development, avoiding excessive moisture as fruits approach maturity.

Harvest when fruits are fully developed and the rind has taken on its characteristic green mottling. Unlike many rockmelons, Pele de Sapo does not readily slip from the vine when ripe.

Maturity: approximately 105 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Planters Jumbo is a vigorous, productive Rockmelon producing large, oval fruits with sweet, juicy orange flesh. A robust variety for home gardens and local market production, it is valued for reliable cropping and excellent eating quality.

The vines show useful resilience through challenging summer conditions, handling periods of drought as well as heavy rainfall, with good disease resistance. The fragrant orange flesh is excellent eaten fresh and chilled or added to fruit salads and platters.

Planters Jumbo was developed as an improved American muskmelon, selected for large fruit, vigorous growth and dependable field performance. Its combination of flavour and resilience made it useful to both market growers and home gardeners.

Approximately 30 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–January
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 10–15 mm deep directly into warm, fertile, well-drained soil, or raise seedlings in pots for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.

Grow in full sun and space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart, allowing plenty of room for vigorous vines to spread. Water consistently during establishment, flowering and fruit development.

Harvest when fruits are fully developed, fragrant and showing their mature colouring.

Maturity: approximately 85–91 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Large green fleshed melon 2-3kg, delicious tasty melon developed by 'Garden Larder' for Australian home gardeners. Ripe when skin colour lightens.

Planting/sowing: Sow in well-drained soil. In warm areas, plant in early spring. In cool areas, wait until late spring. Space appropriately for variety.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucumis melo

Zatta is a distinctive heirloom rockmelon producing medium-sized fruits up to 1.5 kg with beautifully ribbed, warted skin that ripens from green to golden yellow. The deep orange flesh is exceptionally sweet, juicy and aromatic, making it a favourite for fresh eating. For the best flavour and texture, harvest while the rind is still green and yellow, as fully yellow fruit is considered overripe.

Approximately 25–35 seeds per gram
Approximately 18 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to August (dry season)
Subtropics: September to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to December

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 15–20 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in full sun once the danger of frost has passed. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1.5–2 m between rows, allowing room for the vines to spread. Keep plants well watered during flowering and fruit development, reducing watering slightly as the fruit matures to enhance sweetness. Harvest when the fruit develops its characteristic green and yellow colouring and a sweet aroma, before the rind turns completely yellow.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.