Bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your garden with Piel de Sapo Melon Seeds (Cucumis melo), also known as Santa Claus or Christmas Melon. This classic heirloom variety is prized for its sweet, aromatic, pale-green flesh and distinctive mottled green-and-yellow rind.
Its Spanish name means “toad skin,” referring to the melon’s unique textured rind, which helps it store for weeks after harvest, making it an ideal late-season fruit. With excellent adaptability to hot, dry climates, this melon variety is perfect for home gardeners seeking sweet, juicy fruit with great storage life.
Features
- Distinctive Appearance: Green and yellow mottled rind resembling “toad skin.”
- Deliciously Sweet Flesh: Smooth, pale-green flesh with mild, honeyed flavor.
- Excellent Storage: Known as the “Christmas Melon” for its long shelf life.
- Non-GMO Seeds: Naturally cultivated and untreated.
- Adaptable Growth: Thrives in warm, sunny climates with well-drained soil.
Specifications
- Scientific Name: Cucumis melo (Piel de Sapo variety)
- Common Names: Santa Claus Melon, Christmas Melon
- Plant Type: Warm-season annual fruiting vine
- USDA Zones: 4–11 (annual)
- Fruit Color: Greenish-yellow rind with light green flesh
- Fruit Weight: 4–6 pounds on average
- Soil Type: Sandy, well-draining soil enriched with compost
- Soil pH: 6.0–7.5
- Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
- Water Needs: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Germination Temperature: 70–85°F (21–29°C)
- Germination Time: 7–10 days
- Days to Maturity: 85–100 days
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
- Organic Status: Naturally cultivated
- Plant Spacing: 24–36 inches apart
- Row Spacing: 5–6 feet apart
Planting & Growing Guide
- Start Seeds Indoors: 3–4 weeks before the last frost or sow directly outdoors in warm soil.
- Sowing Depth: 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.
- Transplant Outdoors: When soil temperature reaches at least 70°F.
- Support Growth: Provide space for vines or use trellises in smaller gardens.
- Water Regularly: Especially during flowering and fruiting stages.
- Harvest: When rind turns slightly yellow and fruit emits a sweet aroma.
Care Tips
- Use mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.
- Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal diseases.
- Fertilize with a balanced, organic fertilizer every 3–4 weeks.
- Rotate crops yearly to maintain soil health.