My first canteloupe this year.

[cwydro]

[Arkansas Granny]

1. That looks luscious. I hope it tastes as good as it looks.

[nc4bo]

2. Mmmmm, I take smell and taste this succulent morsel now!!

Gorgeous 'lope!

[Vinca]

3. How do you keep the little creatures away from them?

I've tried and tried and tried to grow a decent cantaloupe, but as soon as they start to take shape the small animals emerge from the woods during the night and devour them. They don't bother anything else, just the baby melons.

[cwydro]

4. Well, I'm in the Keys

so the only creatures (other than bugs) I have to worry about are the iguanas. This particular vine is growing right on my porch and they're not brave enough to come up there.

[Vinca]

5. LOL - that explains it. What a great place for growing melons!

[cwydro]

6. When I buy a canteloupe in the store,

I just go outside to scrape out the seeds; usually in a week I have a plant. Everything grows in the Keys.

Last year was the first time I had a vine that I actually paid attention to. The fruit was so good. I can't wait for this one.