Mexican Sour Gherkin Seeds - Melothria scabra
Mexican Sour Gherkin Non-GMO Open-Pollinated Seeds
This heirloom has been gaining popularity in recent years. This tiny, watermelon inspired fruit, will taste like a cucumber when eaten early or like a pickled cucumber when eaten mature.
Commonly known for its Spanish name, sandita, which means little watermelon. Also known by many other names, that commonly translate to Mouse Melon.
Delicious when added to salad or just as a garden snack. Wonderful flavor when eaten fresh or pickled.
May have a slow start, but once it starts growing, expect a generous yield.
Popular among young garden helpers, kids seem to love this!
Seed Profile
- Heirloom
- Open-Pollinated
- Non-GMO
- Annual
- Sun: Full
- Indoors: 2-4 weeks before last frost
- Direct Sow: After last frost
- Seed Count: 30
- Days to Maturity: 60-70
- Plant Size: 8"-12" vine
Gardener Tips
Best to direct sow and plant 2-3 weeks after last frost. Plant in hills, 6-8 seeds per hill, 18" apart. Thin to 4 plants per hill. Trellis plant to maximize space.
Add mulch at base.
Read our blog post on The Power of Mulching
Harvesting Tips
Harvest when fruits are small, firm, and bright green—about the size of a grape or olive. At this stage, they have the best crisp texture and bright, citrusy cucumber-lime flavor. Harvest frequently to encourage continued production, as mature fruits left on the vine can slow new fruit set.
Use two hands or garden snips to gently remove fruits, as vines can be delicate. Check plants every few days during peak season, as gherkins ripen quickly in warm weather.
Preserving Tips
For pickling, harvest fruits when they are young and uniform in size. Mexican sour gherkins make excellent refrigerator pickles and are also delicious eaten fresh, tossed into salads, or used as a garnish.
Seed Saving Tips
Easily save seed from over ripe fruit and plant the following year! Allow a few fruits to fully ripen on the vine until they soften and turn yellow. These overripe fruits are not ideal for eating but are perfect for seed collection. Don't forget to wash off any flesh in a sieve and left to dry naturally. Once fully dried place in a jar and label with variety name and harvest year.
