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Our Favorite Melon Varieties

May 06, 2013
Photo: Randy Mayor
Melons are the sweetest and juciest fruit our garden yielded.
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Perfectly Simple

Photo: Johnny Miller
Musky, fragrant cantaloupes, with their velvety flesh, and crisp, sugary watermelons in spectacular colors are just a couple of the sweet treats that come from a summer garden. Fresh slices make a perfect—and perfectly simple—summertime dessert, but we found that with a little extra effort you can put together a creamy sherbet that's the absolute essence of melon. And they shine with savory elements, too: A little salty cheese, pungent onion, and lightly bitter greens bring out their best.
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Moon and Stars Melons

Photo: Randy Mayor
An heirloom brought back from the edge of extinction some 30 years ago, this hefty melon has sweet, meaty flesh.

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White Wonder Melons

Photo: Randy Mayor
It shares a name with one of our cuke varieties but stands alone among melons: Its fragrant, crisp, sugary flesh boasts a hint of lemon. The best melon we've had.
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Old-Time Tennessee Melons

Photo: Randy Mayor
A watermelon-sized cantaloupe (8 to 10 pounds) with classic muskmelon aroma. The soft flesh bruises easily, so handle with care.
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