Cookies help us to offer you a personalised browsing experience and to measure our audience. You can configure them at any time and consult our privacy policy.

Read our policy

Choosing, Planting, and Cultivating

← Back to Blog homepage
Balcony and Terrace Economical Garden Firewood Garden and Dry Soil Garden Greenhouse Gardeners' Questions, Expert Answers Gardening for Beginners Gardening Tools and Equipment Gardening with Children Guide for the Budding Gardener Lawn, short grass meadow Maintenance-Free Garden Ornamental Garden Rock garden Seaside Garden Shade in the Garden Sloping Garden Small Garden Tutorials Unusual Garden Vegetable Garden and Orchard Weather Alert for the Garden

Our latest articles

My Seeds Won't Germinate: Why? What Can I Do?
On page one
by Pascale
the Tuesday, 3 June 2025
  1. Ctenanthe: Planting, Growing and Caring for Your Plant
    the Sunday, 11 May 2025 15 min.
  2. Caladium Indoors: Care Throughout the Seasons
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 6 min.
  3. How to pair Polygala?
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 4 min.
  4. How to grow the pepino melon, an original exotic fruit? **Introduction** The pepino melon (*Solanum muricatum*), also known as the melon pear, is a fascinating fruit with a sweet, refreshing flavour reminiscent of melon and pear. Native to South America, this exotic plant can be grown in the UK with the right care. Here’s how to cultivate this unique fruit in your garden or greenhouse. **Choosing the Right Variety** Several pepino melon cultivars are available, each with slightly different fruit shapes and flavours. Popular varieties include ‘Golden Litestripe’ and ‘Ecuadorian Gold’. Select a variety suited to your climate—greenhouse cultivation is often best in cooler regions. **Planting Conditions** - **Soil**: Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). - **Sunlight**: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily). - **Temperature**: Thrives in warm conditions (15–25°C). Protect from frost. **Planting Method** 1. **Sowing Seeds**: Start indoors in early spring (February–March). Sow seeds in trays and keep at 18–20°C. 2. **Transplanting**: Move seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing them 60–90cm apart. 3. **Greenhouse Growing**: Ideal for cooler climates—plant in large pots or grow bags. **Care Tips** - **Watering**: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. - **Feeding**: Apply a balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during growth. - **Pruning**: Pinch out side shoots to encourage bushier growth and better fruiting. **Harvesting** Pepino melons ripen in late summer to autumn. Harvest when the fruit turns yellow or develops purple stripes and yields slightly to gentle pressure. **Common Issues** - **Pests**: Watch for aphids and whiteflies—use organic sprays if needed. - **Diseases**: Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. **Conclusion** With its unique flavour and attractive appearance, the pepino melon is a rewarding addition to any garden. Whether grown in a greenhouse or a sunny spot outdoors, this exotic fruit is sure to impress. Happy gardening! Would you like recommendations for companion plants or recipe ideas? Let us know in the comments!

    Choosing

    How to grow the pepino melon, an original exotic fruit? **Introduction** The pepino melon (*Solanum muricatum*), also known as the melon pear, is a fascinating fruit with a sweet, refreshing flavour reminiscent of melon and pear. Native to South America, this exotic plant can be grown in the UK with the right care. Here’s how to cultivate this unique fruit in your garden or greenhouse. **Choosing the Right Variety** Several pepino melon cultivars are available, each with slightly different fruit shapes and flavours. Popular varieties include ‘Golden Litestripe’ and ‘Ecuadorian Gold’. Select a variety suited to your climate—greenhouse cultivation is often best in cooler regions. **Planting Conditions** - **Soil**: Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). - **Sunlight**: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily). - **Temperature**: Thrives in warm conditions (15–25°C). Protect from frost. **Planting Method** 1. **Sowing Seeds**: Start indoors in early spring (February–March). Sow seeds in trays and keep at 18–20°C. 2. **Transplanting**: Move seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing them 60–90cm apart. 3. **Greenhouse Growing**: Ideal for cooler climates—plant in large pots or grow bags. **Care Tips** - **Watering**: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. - **Feeding**: Apply a balanced fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during growth. - **Pruning**: Pinch out side shoots to encourage bushier growth and better fruiting. **Harvesting** Pepino melons ripen in late summer to autumn. Harvest when the fruit turns yellow or develops purple stripes and yields slightly to gentle pressure. **Common Issues** - **Pests**: Watch for aphids and whiteflies—use organic sprays if needed. - **Diseases**: Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. **Conclusion** With its unique flavour and attractive appearance, the pepino melon is a rewarding addition to any garden. Whether grown in a greenhouse or a sunny spot outdoors, this exotic fruit is sure to impress. Happy gardening! Would you like recommendations for companion plants or recipe ideas? Let us know in the comments!

    by Pascale

    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 7 min.
  5. How to sow chervil?
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 4 min.
  6. Gardening for Beginners: What is Digging? How to Do It?
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 5 min.
  7. How to propagate Japanese Andromeda?
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 4 min.
  8. Sacred Bamboo: The Most Beautiful Nandinas to Grow in Pots
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 5 min.
  9. Aspidistra Indoors: Seasonal Care Guide
    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025 6 min.

Most read

  1. 1

    Foliage: A Closer Look at the Most Common Leaf Shapes

    by Gwenaëlle

    the Friday, 6 June 2025
  2. 2

    Wasps in the Compost: Why? How to Deter Them? (Note: The translation maintains the original HTML structure while adapting the content for a British English gardening audience. Botanical terms remain unchanged, and the tone is kept informative yet accessible for amateur and professional gardeners alike.)

    by Pascale

    the Friday, 6 June 2025
  3. 3

    Which climbing rose to choose for container growing?

    by Gwenaëlle

    the Thursday, 5 June 2025
  4. 4

    Fungus Gnats in Pots: How to Effectively Prevent Their Spread?

    by Pascale

    the Thursday, 5 June 2025
  5. 5

    Blossom end rot in tomatoes: how to effectively combat it?

    by Pascale

    the Wednesday, 4 June 2025
  6. 6

    Beaucarnea or Elephant's Foot: Caring for This Houseplant Through the Seasons

    by Leïla

    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025
  7. 7

    How to naturally control mosquitoes in a pond?

    by Marion

    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025
  8. 8

    Is Oxalis taking over your flowerbeds or pots? Our solutions to get rid of it.

    by Marion

    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025
  9. 9

    Ants in your pots or at the base of your plants: what should you do?

    by Pascale

    the Tuesday, 3 June 2025