Melon Seeds - Top Mark
Estimated delivery between February 06 and February 09.
Top Mark is a premium melon variety known for its vibrant color, excellent sweetness, and smooth texture. This melon produces round, slightly ribbed fruit with a yellow-green rind and a rich, orange flesh that is both juicy and flavorful. Often described as one of the best tasting melons, Top Mark is perfect for growing in warm climates and offers a high yield for home gardeners. With its perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing flavor, it’s a favorite for fruit salads, fresh eating, and summer desserts.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional Sweetness: Known for its sweet, honey-like flavor that stands out among other melon varieties.
- Smooth, Juicy Flesh: Offers juicy, tender, and flavorful flesh with a vibrant orange color.
- High Yield: Produces an abundant number of melons, making it a great choice for home gardeners looking for a bountiful harvest.
- Disease-Resistant: Top Mark is resistant to many common melon diseases, which makes it easier to grow in diverse garden conditions.
- Adaptable to Warm Climates: Thrives in warm temperatures and full sun, making it perfect for summer gardens.
Variety Features
- Plant Characteristics: Large, sprawling vines with large, deep green leaves and yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
- Fruit Characteristics: Round, ribbed melons with a yellow-green rind and bright orange flesh. Each melon typically weighs 5–7 pounds.
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, honey-like flavor with juicy, tender flesh that makes it perfect for fresh eating.
- Size: Typically grows melons about 6–8 inches in diameter, with fruit weighing between 5–7 pounds.
Planting Instructions
Planting Season
- Planting Time: Plant Top Mark melon seeds in late spring or early summer once the soil has warmed to 70°F (21°C) or higher, after the last frost date.
- Ideal Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 70°F–90°F (21°C–32°C) and requires full sun for optimal growth.
Planting Details
- Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep in fertile, well-drained soil.
- Spacing: Space plants 18–24 inches apart, with rows 3–4 feet apart to accommodate their sprawling vines.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers sandy loam or fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8.
- Sunlight: Full sun is essential for the development of sweet, high-quality fruit. Aim for at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Care Instructions
Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the fruiting stage, but avoid overwatering or waterlogging, which can lead to rot.
- Water deeply to encourage strong root development, but water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and reduce disease risk.
Fertilization
- Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) when planting and again when plants start to flower and fruit.
- Avoid using too much nitrogen, which can promote vine growth but reduce fruit production.
Weeding and Mulching
- Regularly weed around the melons to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
- Mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Pest and Disease Control
- Pests: Common pests such as aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs may attack melons. Use organic pest control methods like insecticidal soap or row covers to protect the plants.
- Diseases: Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Ensure proper air circulation around plants, and rotate crops annually to minimize disease buildup.
Harvesting
- Maturity: Top Mark melons are typically ready to harvest in 75–85 days, depending on weather conditions.
- Size: Harvest melons when they reach their full size and develop a sweet aroma.
- Method: Gently cut the stem near the melon, leaving a short length of stem attached. The melon should yield slightly to gentle pressure, and the rind should turn yellow as it ripens.
Storage
- Short-Term: Store harvested melons in a cool, dry place at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Long-Term: Once cut, store melon slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Whole melons can be kept in a cool, dry place until ripe.
Culinary Uses
- Fresh Eating: Enjoy Top Mark melons fresh, either sliced, cubed, or as melon balls for a refreshing treat.
- Fruit Salads: Add cubed melon to fruit salads for a sweet, juicy burst of flavor.
- Smoothies: Blend the melon with other fruits like berries, pineapple, or citrus for a refreshing summer smoothie.
- Desserts: Use Top Mark melon in sorbets, popsicles, or as a topping for yogurt and ice cream.
Conclusion
Top Mark melons are a delicious, high-yielding variety that produces sweet, juicy, and aromatic fruit. Their ability to thrive in warm climates, combined with disease resistance and high yield, makes them an excellent choice for gardeners looking to grow their own melons. Whether enjoyed fresh, in fruit salads, or blended into smoothies, Top Mark melons are sure to be a hit in your summer garden.
Dharaseeds
Melon Seeds - Top Mark
Estimated delivery between February 06 and February 09.
Top Mark is a premium melon variety known for its vibrant color, excellent sweetness, and smooth texture. This melon produces round, slightly ribbed fruit with a yellow-green rind and a rich, orange flesh that is both juicy and flavorful. Often described as one of the best tasting melons, Top Mark is perfect for growing in warm climates and offers a high yield for home gardeners. With its perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing flavor, it’s a favorite for fruit salads, fresh eating, and summer desserts.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional Sweetness: Known for its sweet, honey-like flavor that stands out among other melon varieties.
- Smooth, Juicy Flesh: Offers juicy, tender, and flavorful flesh with a vibrant orange color.
- High Yield: Produces an abundant number of melons, making it a great choice for home gardeners looking for a bountiful harvest.
- Disease-Resistant: Top Mark is resistant to many common melon diseases, which makes it easier to grow in diverse garden conditions.
- Adaptable to Warm Climates: Thrives in warm temperatures and full sun, making it perfect for summer gardens.
Variety Features
- Plant Characteristics: Large, sprawling vines with large, deep green leaves and yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
- Fruit Characteristics: Round, ribbed melons with a yellow-green rind and bright orange flesh. Each melon typically weighs 5–7 pounds.
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, honey-like flavor with juicy, tender flesh that makes it perfect for fresh eating.
- Size: Typically grows melons about 6–8 inches in diameter, with fruit weighing between 5–7 pounds.
Planting Instructions
Planting Season
- Planting Time: Plant Top Mark melon seeds in late spring or early summer once the soil has warmed to 70°F (21°C) or higher, after the last frost date.
- Ideal Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 70°F–90°F (21°C–32°C) and requires full sun for optimal growth.
Planting Details
- Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep in fertile, well-drained soil.
- Spacing: Space plants 18–24 inches apart, with rows 3–4 feet apart to accommodate their sprawling vines.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers sandy loam or fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8.
- Sunlight: Full sun is essential for the development of sweet, high-quality fruit. Aim for at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Care Instructions
Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the fruiting stage, but avoid overwatering or waterlogging, which can lead to rot.
- Water deeply to encourage strong root development, but water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and reduce disease risk.
Fertilization
- Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) when planting and again when plants start to flower and fruit.
- Avoid using too much nitrogen, which can promote vine growth but reduce fruit production.
Weeding and Mulching
- Regularly weed around the melons to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
- Mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Pest and Disease Control
- Pests: Common pests such as aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs may attack melons. Use organic pest control methods like insecticidal soap or row covers to protect the plants.
- Diseases: Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Ensure proper air circulation around plants, and rotate crops annually to minimize disease buildup.
Harvesting
- Maturity: Top Mark melons are typically ready to harvest in 75–85 days, depending on weather conditions.
- Size: Harvest melons when they reach their full size and develop a sweet aroma.
- Method: Gently cut the stem near the melon, leaving a short length of stem attached. The melon should yield slightly to gentle pressure, and the rind should turn yellow as it ripens.
Storage
- Short-Term: Store harvested melons in a cool, dry place at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Long-Term: Once cut, store melon slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Whole melons can be kept in a cool, dry place until ripe.
Culinary Uses
- Fresh Eating: Enjoy Top Mark melons fresh, either sliced, cubed, or as melon balls for a refreshing treat.
- Fruit Salads: Add cubed melon to fruit salads for a sweet, juicy burst of flavor.
- Smoothies: Blend the melon with other fruits like berries, pineapple, or citrus for a refreshing summer smoothie.
- Desserts: Use Top Mark melon in sorbets, popsicles, or as a topping for yogurt and ice cream.
Conclusion
Top Mark melons are a delicious, high-yielding variety that produces sweet, juicy, and aromatic fruit. Their ability to thrive in warm climates, combined with disease resistance and high yield, makes them an excellent choice for gardeners looking to grow their own melons. Whether enjoyed fresh, in fruit salads, or blended into smoothies, Top Mark melons are sure to be a hit in your summer garden.
Non-GMO
Dharaseeds are Non-GMO and free from genetically modified organisms.
High Germination Rate
Tested for high viability to ensure successful sprouting.
Heirloom Variety
Open-pollinated seeds preserved for quality and authenticity.
Chemical-Free
Free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and additives.