The Unique And Easy-To-Grow Fruit That's Perfect For Beginner Gardeners

While backyard food growers aren't going to stop planting common crops like tomatoes and green beans any time soon, the idea of growing a unique fruit or vegetable at home is tempting for both experienced gardeners and beginners. After all, there are certain types of produce you simply can't find at your local grocery store or farmer's market, and the only way to add them to your menu may be to grow your own. Cucamelons (Melothria scabra) are one such novelty crop. Related to cucumbers and squash, this heirloom fruit has been grown in tropical regions of Latin America for hundreds of years, and can also easily be grown in the backyard garden as a summer annual.

With cucumber-like flavors and watermelon-like looks, cucamelons are a beginner-friendly crop with an unusual and rather adorable appearance — their fruits are only 1-inch long. Also known as mouse melon or Mexican sour gherkin, miniature fruits grow from vining plants whose leaves look like those of cucumbers. However, one of the things that makes Mexican sour gherkins so easy to grow is that they are more pest- and disease-resistant than cucumbers. With a few growing tips, even if you're a beginner, you can add cucamelons to your list of easy fruits and vegetables to grow from seed in your own backyard.

When growing cucamelons, beginning gardeners will want to follow some of the general tips for growing a healthy vegetable garden — sow seeds in full sun, and in well-draining garden soil that is organically rich. Cucamelon vines can reach 10 feet long, so they will be most productive and healthy when they have a support to climb on, keeping their fruits off the soil. You can choose from the many different types of DIY trellises for your vegetable garden. A teepee, arbor, or any other trellis will work for this lightweight crop.

Once seeds are planted, gardeners should expect their first mouse melons in 60 to 70 days. Pick these tiny and unique fruits when they are small for the best flavor and texture; the mature mouse melons should be around 1 inch long. Grown by beginners or green thumbs, cucamelons can easily offer a prolific harvest, and those unfamiliar with this diminutive crop may be wondering how to prepare their homegrown cucamelons in the kitchen. Mouse melons can be used raw in salads or on crudité platters. They can also be pickled, combined with the same types of seasonings you would use to flavor cucumber pickles. And cooked, cucamelons are delicious in curries, pasta dishes, and stir fries.