![Great Balls Of Sweetness](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/8091/373945/5dc3ace0ebf2d/Great-Balls-Of-Sweetness.jpg)
I remember an intensely hot summer’s day in my childhood, the sort of bitumen-melting weather that had all us kids clamouring for ice-cream. Accordingly, Dad set out for the corner shop with vague promises of fetching “something better than ice-cream”. He came back with a big green watermelon.
Once we got over the initial disappointment — to a kid, it wasn’t really better than ice-cream but, in retrospect, probably a lot cheaper — we soon discovered the joys of chilled watermelon.
Tight as a drum, it emitted a satisfyingly woody sound when tapped. Once sliced, it wasn’t just a delicious thirst quencher; you could use an arc of rind to make a big fake grin or a sunhat and stage endless seed-spitting competitions. Perhaps that’s why many of today’s varieties are seedless.
Melons of all kinds have been enjoyed by kids of all ages since before recorded time. Originating in the heat of Africa and southwest Asia, they were cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and found their way into Europe around the last days of the Roman Empire.
From there they accompanied European settlers to the New World, where they were so enthusiastically adopted and hybridised by Native Americans that some commentators have suggested the fruit may have originated in Mexico and Central America. Whatever the truth, there’s no question that melons will thrive anywhere with a long, hot summer.
ABOUT MELONS
The melon is a curious fruit. Mostly water and sugar, it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which makes it a relative of squash, pumpkin and zucchini. Botanically, it’s classified as a berry — a pepo, to be exact, a fleshy edible fruit surrounded by a rind.
Its common name ultimately derives from the Greek melopepon, a combination of melon, meaning apple or any kind of tree fruit, and pepon, which denoted a gourd or melon.
Denne historien er fra November - December 2019-utgaven av Good Organic Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November - December 2019-utgaven av Good Organic Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Glamour girls](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c409ab4dc93/crp_Glamour-girls.jpg)
Glamour girls
EVERYONE LOVES A HARDWORKING ISA BROWN BUT GET A LOAD OF THESE CHIC CHICKENS AND FEATHERED FASHIONISTAS
![FRIED VEG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c41411ea417/crp_FRIED-VEG.jpg)
FRIED VEG
IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A FRY-UP IN A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY BY TURNING TO SOME FRY-FRIENDLY PLANTS
![BEYOND BIG RED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c41a6eb04df/crp_BEYOND-BIG-RED.jpg)
BEYOND BIG RED
TOMATOES COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO EXPLORE THEIR INFINITE VARIETY
![EVEN MORE TROPPO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c32491c5ad8/crp_EVEN-MORE-TROPPO.jpg)
EVEN MORE TROPPO
ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD
![LET'S STALK RHUBARB](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c40f021899b/crp_LETS-STALK-RHUBARB.jpg)
LET'S STALK RHUBARB
JUST AS TOMATO IS A FRUIT USED AS A VEGETABLE, RHUBARB IS A VEGETABLE COMMONLY CONSUMED AS A DESSERT
![FOOD OF THE GODS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c4058e00ced/crp_FOOD-OF-THE-GODS.jpg)
FOOD OF THE GODS
THE FLESHY FRUIT OF THE FICUS WAS MUHAMMAD’S FAVOURITE AND BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A FIG TREE
![MAKING GOOD BETTER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c41d9eb93a1/crp_MAKING-GOOD.jpg)
MAKING GOOD BETTER
THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN
![True lily](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c417732dad4/crp_True-lily.jpg)
True lily
MANY PLANTS ARE CALLED LILIES BUT IT’S THE MEMBERS OF THE GENUS LILIUM THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL
![SALTY BUDS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/814504/61c403da6a8e1/crp_SALTY-BUDS.jpg)
SALTY BUDS
THE CAPER BUSH PRODUCES TWO DISTINCT BUT EQUALLY DELICIOUS, TANGY MORSELS: CAPERS AND CAPERBERRIES
![Ducks on duty](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8091/768731/6171113ae4f17/crp_Ducks-on-duty.jpg)
Ducks on duty
BUSY, VIGILANT, HARD ON GARDEN PESTS AND GENEROUS LAYERS — YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE A DUCK!