World’s Most Famous Melon
– the Hand Melon.
History was made here almost 100 years ago when young Allen F. Hand planted a novel one-acre crop of muskmelons in 1925, which sweetened through the long summer and early fall – and became a runaway success. Since that time, movie stars, presidents, and the Saratoga summer set have all enjoyed Hand Melons. Today, 3 generations later, our carefully selected, cultivated, and fresh-picked melons have a reputation for flavor and sweetness that is unparalleled.
We grow a rare, heirloom variety of muskmelon that is unique in its full, fruity taste. To maintain a longer season, we plant 8 different plantings about one week apart. All of our melons begin in our greenhouse in mid-April, and get transplanted to the field four weeks later. We cover the early plants with a fabric cover to protect the tender plants from the elements that is removed a few weeks hence. Grown on raised beds with plastic mulch for moisture control and weed suppression, with trickle irrigation so water only reaches the roots and not the leaves, which are very sensitive to folier diseases.
Unlike supermarket melons, which are harvested immature for shipping, we pick ours only when the plant tells us they are ready by releasing the fruit from the stem. These fully mature melons have the full sugar potential that immature fruit can never achieve. They are only available for a limited time, typically August.
The taste of a perfect Hand Melon will alter your perception of how a fresh melon should taste. They are so fully-sweetened and fragrant that they actually exhibit an intense floral aromatic that pleases the senses. Like French champagne or Maine lobster, Hand Melons are the most perfect representation of the category.
Have Famous Hand Melons Shipped Direct To You
Available at our Farm Market, select other retail locations, and the only crop which we will ship direct. Sold in boxes of four and shipped right to your home, Hand Melons are enjoyed by U.S. presidents, politicians, celebrities, actors, and those who cherish the sweet, pure taste of summer – the Hand Melon.
Order Famous Hand Melons by filling out our order form.