The winter melon, also called white gourd, winter gourd, tallow gourd,[2] Chinese preserving melon,[2] or ash gourd,[2] is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. It is the only member of the genus Benincasa. The fruit is fuzzy when young. The immature melon has thick white flesh that is sweet when eaten. By maturity, the fruit loses its hairs and develops a waxy coating, giving rise to the name wax gourd, and providing a long shelf life.

Requires a long, warm growing season. Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds in late spring/early summer after last frost in a warm, sunny location. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat. Hill planting: Form soil into a 1-ft. diameter mound 3-4" tall. Space mounds 4-6' apart. Sow 1-2 seeds in each mound. Row planting: See spacing info in chart. Keep soil moist. Fertilize as needed. Hand pollination may be necessary. Train to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest or leave to sprawl on the ground. Store fruit in a dry, cool environment during winter months and avoid direct contact with concrete.

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