'Edisto 47' Melon

Cucumis melo

Origin: Blackville, South Carolina

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~25

Germination tested 08/2024: 97%

Life cycle: Annual

Days to maturity: 88

Our friend Edmund Frost of Common Wealth Seeds in Virginia is an inspiring plant breeder who has been working for years to develop disease and pest resistant cucurbits. In addition to his new varieties, he has been selectively improving old varieties as well. Edisto 47 was originally released in 1964 as an improvement on 1957's Edisto by Dr. Morris C. Hughes of Clemson Edisto Experiment Station in Blackville, South Carolina.

From Edmund: "Netted 3-4 lb fruits that keep well and hold up well in the field. Very sweet medium orange interior. We have found Edisto 47 to have the best all-around Downy Mildew resistance in our trials. We've been producing seed of this variety for several years, selecting for sweetness and good appearance. Longer season than many melons."

GROWING TIPS: Direct seed into garden when soil has warmed up over 65 degrees F, or transplant healthy plant starts into ground. Plants should end up 18-24 inches apart in rows 4-6 feet apart. Plant will sprawl.