Montreal Melon Culture Ensemble - Urban Nutritionist

Did you know that a fabulous melon was once grown in Montreal? Texts dating back more than a hundred years tell the story of the Montreal melon, a fruit with such exceptional flavor that it was snapped up by the best restaurants and hotels in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

Yet few people today are familiar with this fruit that has contributed to Quebec's international renown. That's because, despite its reputation, the melon disappeared overnight, without a trace.

That was, until a few stray seeds were found in 1996. From these, Quebec seed growers have succeeded in reviving this old-fashioned variety. And it's now possible to grow it yourself!

The aim of this project is to ensure that this mythical fruit does not fall back into oblivion. At present, the melons produced from these seeds do not all have the characteristics of yesteryear. We need many people to take part in this safeguarding experiment so that, one day, everyone will have the chance to taste a slice of Quebec's food heritage.

This growing kit includes :

• Montreal melon seeds grown without fertilizers or pesticides in Quebec. They have been selected from the best melons grown.
• A book that tells the most complete story to date about the Montreal melon, as well as all the information you need to grow it in the ground or in a pot.
• A decorative melon poster.
• A card to collect as a souvenir of your experience.

More details on growing and planting this melon:

When to start seedlings: 3 weeks before transplanting outdoors.

Planting outdoors: after any risk of frost, when the soil has warmed up

Spacing: 1 m rows, 30 cm to 40 cm spacing between plants

Planting depth: 1.5 cm

Germination time: 5 to 7 days

Maturity: 70 to 85 days

Plant height: Creeping

Note: Be careful! Seedlings are very fragile when transplanted.