Winter Melon (Benincasa hispida)   

A vigorous warm-season vine grown for large, mild, crisp fruits prized across Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisines. Harvest young for tender stir-fries, or let fruits fully mature to form their signature waxy coating—excellent for soups, braises, and long storage. 

Start indoors in late April–early May and transplant 3–5 week seedlings after the last frost. For better germination, soak seeds in hot water (45–55°C) for 20 minutes, then warm water for 24 hours. Plant when soil is 15°C+ (ideal 25–30°C). Give plenty of space, trellis or mulch, and harvest in 90–110 days. Frost sensitive.  Chigarden 2026