GROW A TASTE THAT'S UNFORGETTABLE

Home-grown produce always tastes better but harvesting your first melon is one moment you will always remember. Emma Rawlings has some tips on growing this delicious fruit

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I remember harvesting my first home-grown melon. It wasn't a very big fruit. In fact, it was not much bigger than a cricket ball but it was ripe and I remember being slightly disappointed at the size. The fruit was still warm after taking it from the greenhouse and I opened it up and the sweet floral aroma hit me. I then tasted it and experienced the juiciness, the sweetness, the perfume, the tenderness. I was in raptures. That one moment has stayed with me to this day.

Melons are not difficult to grow but it does help if you have a greenhouse or polytunnel, or you could even try growing three in a growing bag in a mini plastic greenhouse you can pick up from DIY stores. This is a crop that does like protection and some warmth but it is possible to grow some of the varieties outside, although this is a little bit more risky with the unpredictable British summers.

STARTING OFF

Melons are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, as are courgettes and other squashes, and these are all traditionally sown in early April. Melons can take a while to mature, so if you have the right protective environment you could try sowing them just a little bit earlier.

Sow one seed in a small pot such as a 9cm (3½in) size and in a good seed compost or a multi-purpose compost of your choice. Water well and place in a propagator if you have one, or put the pot in a plastic bag and place on a warm windowsill indoors. They like a temperature of about 18-21C (64-70F) to germinate.