In 1948, the University of Minnesota (the campus on the St. Paul side of the river, which I am admittedly partial to,) introduced a small melon--the Minnesota Midget--suitable for our short growing season. The vines stay a manageable length for backyard gardens, and produce sugary, fleshy, delightful little melons which fit perfectly in your hand like a softball. They are just the right size for one person to eat as dessert.
As it turns out, they are just the right size for dogs to eat as dessert, too.
I have been growing these little gems for several seasons. After Jay died last year, Nikka would come to stay with us occasionally to help keep Mac company. Mac was lonely, and he needed both his moms. Nikka was very fond of my garden, and could often be seen out raiding the peas in the spring or the tomatoes in summer. When she came in August last year, she managed to work her way through the gate and would always have a melon. I didn't mind. I also don't think I managed to land more than two of my own melons last summer, but so it goes.
Nikka left us in late February. She went to join her parents and littermates, and we have never been quite the same in her absence.
Despite an early and warm spring, I was way behind on planting the garden this year. I was drawing out the planting plan when I discovered the seed packet of MN Midgets was empty. :( It was really getting to be too late to order more, so I figured that I would just have to go without.
But in the corner of the garden, where Nikka would sneak in to help herself, some seeds had fallen. And there were five little melons growing all on their own. I have harvested more Midgets this year from those five plants than I ever have in years past.
The beauty of heirloom or vintage seeds is that they are open pollinated, so they are ideal for saving seed from. You get the same plants, year after year, harvest after harvest, consistent and delicious. They store over winter and give you a whole new promise the next summer.
I would be honored to give away some of the seeds from the melons that Nikka planted for us all to enjoy. So, northern gardeners, send me your address--and I will share her gift to me, with you.
As it turns out, they are just the right size for dogs to eat as dessert, too.
I have been growing these little gems for several seasons. After Jay died last year, Nikka would come to stay with us occasionally to help keep Mac company. Mac was lonely, and he needed both his moms. Nikka was very fond of my garden, and could often be seen out raiding the peas in the spring or the tomatoes in summer. When she came in August last year, she managed to work her way through the gate and would always have a melon. I didn't mind. I also don't think I managed to land more than two of my own melons last summer, but so it goes.
Nikka left us in late February. She went to join her parents and littermates, and we have never been quite the same in her absence.
Despite an early and warm spring, I was way behind on planting the garden this year. I was drawing out the planting plan when I discovered the seed packet of MN Midgets was empty. :( It was really getting to be too late to order more, so I figured that I would just have to go without.
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| Nikka...daughter of Eva, sister to Jay, mother to Mac, Grandmom of Apolo and Allie |
But in the corner of the garden, where Nikka would sneak in to help herself, some seeds had fallen. And there were five little melons growing all on their own. I have harvested more Midgets this year from those five plants than I ever have in years past.
The beauty of heirloom or vintage seeds is that they are open pollinated, so they are ideal for saving seed from. You get the same plants, year after year, harvest after harvest, consistent and delicious. They store over winter and give you a whole new promise the next summer.
I would be honored to give away some of the seeds from the melons that Nikka planted for us all to enjoy. So, northern gardeners, send me your address--and I will share her gift to me, with you.
