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FAQs


  • How can I get a job picking melons?

    Phone the National Harvest Telephone Information Service 1800 062 332 for information on harvest jobs, working conditions or accommodation.


    Or visit the Harvest Trail Website to:
    • find a harvest job
    • locate a harvest labour provider
    • search town and crop information.

    The National Harvest Guide has information on harvest work opportunities, working conditions, transport and accommodation. The guide is updated monthly and is available free for download or in hard copy.

  • Does watermelon provide any health benefits?
    Yes - Watermelons have no fat or cholesterol and are an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C and contain fibre and potassium. Researchers in the US have found that the watermelon contains lycopene, which has been linked with reduced prostate cancer risk and lower rates of heart disease. 

  • How can I truly make the most of the watermelon season?
    Attend the watermelon festival every two years (in February) in Chinchilla in Queensland.

 

  • What are the main types of melon available in Australia?
    The three main types are Rockmelon, Watermelon and Honeydew Melon but there are also Galia, Charentais and Hami melons on the Australian market - recently there have been yellow watermelons available.

  • Is it true that the Japanese are growing square watermelons?

    Yes, the watermelons are grown in square, tempered glass containers, and they take the shape of the container. They take up less space in the fridge, but are very expensive. So far we have not had any available in Australia

  • How are melons grown?
    Melons are related to pumpkins, squashes and gourds. Watermelon, rockmelon and honeydew melon grow on trailing vines on the ground. Seedlings cultivated in plant nurseries are grown in raised soil beds with careful management of nutrition, soil moisture and pests and diseases. The vines have separate male and female flowers that are pollinated by honey bees. Growers use quality assurance systems to ensure that the best product is available to the Australian consumer.

  • I have seen references to cantaloupe, what is a cantaloupe?
    Cantaloupe is the American name for rockmelon

  • Where are Autralian melons grown?
    Melons are grown all over Australia. Refer to

  • What percentage of watermelon is water?
    92% of a Watermelon is water

  • Are there any other uses for melons?
    All melons lend themselves to carving. Great designs can be achieved, and the contents can be eaten separately, or one can use a melon baller to replace the fruit inside your creation.

    Did you know that early explorers used watermelons as canteens?

  • How are seedless watermelons grown?
    Seedless watermelons were developed over 50 years ago, and they have few or no seeds.  

    Crossing a diploid plant (bearing the standard two sets of chromosomes) with a tetraploid plant (having four sets of chromosomes) results in a fruit that produces a triploid seed (with three sets of chromosomes). This triploid seed  produces seedless watermelons. This process does not involve genetic modification, and can occur in nature.

    The male flower on the seedless watermelons are sterile, so pollinator plants are interspersed with the crop in order to be pollinated and set fruit. In a field growing seedless melons roughly 25% of the plants are seeded varieties and 75% are seedless varieties (grown from triploid seeds).  Hives of bees are brought into the fields to cross-pollinate.  Without this cross-pollination, the seedless watermelon plants would not produce fruit.


  • What else can one do with watermelons?
    Many cultures make preserved watermelon rind (the rind, minus the green skin, is cooked in a spicy syrup, and stored in sealed jars). South African `konfyt` and Greek `glyko` recipes are available on the internet. These can be served with Greek yoghurt, or on toast for breakfast.

  • Can melon seeds germinate inside your stomach?
    No, seeds need moisture, the right temperature and oxygen. There is no oxygen in the stomach, and seeds need 3-5 days to germinate, by which stage they will no longer be in the alimentary canal! If you are worried, eat seedless watermelons!