Melon 'Montreal Market'

Melon 'Montreal Market' ( Cucumis melo ) from seed company Northern Wildflowers, a sweet heirloom for your summer gardens

The 'Montreal Market' melon ( Cucumis melo ), also known as the Montreal cantaloupe, is an old variety discovered at Montreal's St. Anne's Market in 1880 by W. Atlee Burpee. This hardy melon, reaching about 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) in height, is famous for its net-skinned fruit and sweet orange flesh, with a slight musky note that makes it unique. In 75 to 85 days, it produces juicy melons perfect for hot summer days.

Spread : 45 to 60 cm between plants
Plant height : 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet)
Quantity per pack : Approximately 20-30 seeds
Companion plants : Corn, sunflower, nasturtium
Enemy plants : Cucumber, potatoes

Cultivation method:

The 'Montreal Market' melon prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter and a location in full sun for optimal development. It grows well in regions with long, hot summers, ensuring a tasty harvest after about 75 to 85 days. Enrich your garden with this heirloom variety, perfect for summer harvests. It is particularly well suited to family vegetable gardens, where it can be grown alongside corn, sunflowers and nasturtiums.

A sweet and refreshing legacy

The 'Montreal Market' melon is ideal for fresh consumption, salads, smoothies and frozen desserts, adding a refreshing sweetness to your summer recipes. A true Montreal heirloom, it will delight lovers of authentic melons!

Did you know? The discovery of the Melon 'Montreal Market'

The History of the ' Montreal Market' Melon dates back to the 1880s, at Montreal's St. Anne Market. It is the watchful eyes of W. Atlee Burpee, a renowned horticulturist and founder of the Burpee seed company, who spotted this exceptional variety among the colorful market stalls.

Curious by nature, Burpee decided to purchase several melons, intrigued by their unique appearance and delicate aroma. Back at his farm in Pennsylvania, he tasted the flesh of one of them and was immediately seduced by its sweetness and slight musky flavor. Won over by the quality of this melon, Burpee grew it in his fields and included it in his seed catalog under the name 'Montreal Market Melon', in homage to the city of its discovery.

This melon quickly became popular in the northeastern United States and Canada. However, with increasing urbanization and the disappearance of home gardens, it gradually disappeared. Thanks to efforts to conserve old varieties, the 'Montreal Market' melon is now enjoying a resurgence, allowing new gardeners to rediscover this historic treasure.

A simple visit to the Montreal market therefore led to the preservation and rediscovery of this authentic melon, a true heritage of the city!