Freezing Cantaloupe and Harvesting the Seeds

[@Bloodhoundjed1]

Hey Jill, so glad you have this video. I just picked my first ever grown cantaloupe, and oh was it so good. I plan to save my seeds and hopefully use again in the future.

[@ntxg]

You sure can and they should do fantastic. It’s super easy to say melon seeds. I’m so glad that you’re gonna be able to do that.

[@GardenKatt]

I finally have enough cantaloupe to try and preserve some for winter. Thank you for your inspiration.

[@ntxg]

I’ll be doing the same today gal!❤️

[@veggiegardens3687]

Take a deep bowl of water, dip the baggy in the water to point water is about to flow in. All the air will have been displaced. Zip the baggy closed. Shazam 💫 no air!

[@ntxg]

Shazam! Thank you!

[@ks9759]

Such a good tip! I’m freezing items today for the first time and I’m wishing I had heard this about 2 hours ago haha I’ll at least have properly sealed melon chunks!

[@Pigearvet]

Thanks for they great storage demo. Growing cantaloupe next year and I want to store some. This is simple and effective.

[@ntxg]

Hi Two Turtle! Thank you for watching! We try to save everything we can!!!! AppreciateCHA

[@TheProudmummy3]

As a beginner, how do you organize your schedule? When to start seedling? Etc.

[@ntxg]

I use a wall calendar and count back days from harvest to seed❤️

[@lorabetht9206]

I remember my family purchasing frozen Mellon balls from Sam’s Club to serve at parties. I would imagine this would taste similar. Thanks for the info! We have 20 little cantaloupe that are sweet as sugar 🤤

[@ntxg]

Hidy Lora Beth...love our melons....so glad you have a batch...very good for us all gal. Thanks for watching. Jill

[@buickinvicta288]

Great info, thanks

[@LilGardenQueen]

Thanks so much Hillbilly Jills! We are halfway through harvesting 22 scrumptious Hales Best cantaloupes from our garden. I am going to get busy and freeze some just how you said to do. How can I get a few of your French Petit seeds for next year?

[@ntxg]

YAY!!!! you contact me gal and I will make sure you get some of these seeds!!!!! Blessings, Jill

[@LilGardenQueen]

North Texas Vegetable Gardening and Cooking How do I contact you?

[@suzannemathes8775]

I was so excited to see this video and then saw that it’s 5 years old. Do you still offer this seed for purchase?

[@ntxg]

Yes!

[@suzannemathes8775]

@@ntxg yay! Please let me know how/where to purchase!

[@denniskimmel6551]

Using a metal strainer to clean seeds might score seeds?

[@adamUDavies]

I freeze all types of fruit , use mostly in smoothies . Just cut them up freeze on a cookie sheet and transfer to freezer bags.

[@ntxg]

Hidy Adam...YAY...we are thinking of dehydrating...have you tried that?

[@seaphor665]

Is there a "South Texas Vegetable Gardening And Cooking" channel? I live in Sugar Land

[@ntxg]

Lololol but yet…

[@dixielitteken3283]

Jill , question where do you store freeze dried ? I have a storage , shortage. Can you store in and insulation metal buildings? In North Texas.Thanks

[@ntxg]

Sigh I’m not sure, mine are in 5 gallon pails in a back room. I’d be afraid to store outside in extreme heat?

[@bellacucina3209]

kudos

[@afveteran]

Hello Jill ! ! Thanks for sharing.. I will do that with store-bought cantaloupe. Being single they don't last long in the frig. About the seeds, when do you plant? Can I do this in a very large container on the balcony? Thank you.

[@ntxg]

Hi Mark! Where are you located? Yes you can grow them in a large pot on a balcony. Intertwine your vines on your railing and the fruit will support itself. The season is winding down. If you are in the south, plant end of March and keep watch for freezes/frost. Thank you for watching! Blessings, Jill

[@afveteran]

@@ntxg Good afternoon Jill ! Nice to hear from you. Appreciate your time. I live in Denver, Colorado. Our growing seasons are early May, when temperatures are above freezing at night. For example, tomatoes until its at least 54 at night. thru end of September? Thank you, take care all of you, your Love ones be safe!

[@ntxg]

ohhhh yep I'd wait a bit to plant! Nice to hear from you too Mark. Be safe and you take care as well.

[@honeypie2555]

Good to know. Do you have the name of a good heirloom seed company online? Thanks!

[@ntxg]

Rareseeds.com gal

[@shoshannahgriffith807]

Do you do the same thing with say watermelon too?

[@ntxg]

Yep!

[@wycliffegift6180]

how do we store the seeds viable till next planting season?

[@ntxg]

Hi Wycliffe, put in envelope, keep dry and put in a cool dark place. Thank you for watching, Blessings, Jill

[@wycliffegift6180]

@@ntxg ohh Thanks alot

[@marystoll5571]

I took cut up cantelope and put them in food saver bags, froze them and then sealed them up removing the air. Did same with peaches. I would like to kmow if u can can the frozen peaches when thawded out ?????

[@ntxg]

Hidy Mary...Hmmm I don't know gal. I am afraid they may turn to mush....you can always try one can and see how it works...thank you for watching gal. Jill

[@mjcubo2246]

They dont get mushy when they thaw out?

[@ntxg]

They stay pretty firm using this method! Not as firm as fresh of course, but definitely the best method we've used 😀

[@okaythen001]

Freeze them an hour then put them in individual bags, can I skip that step and just put them directly into freeze bags?

[@ntxg]

Hidy OkayThen! If you freeze them before putting into the back it will keep the pieces from sticking together too badly. It depends on what you want to use them for. Thank you for watching!!!

[@suzannemartinez3137]

I have a food saver removed the air for freezing, do you think that will work better that ziplock baggies?

[@ntxg]

Absolutely! Use it, we did it with our Bells, squash and zucchini..they taste so fresh when we cook them. Thank you for watching!!

[@maxinebaker2014]

I am trying to grow cantaloupes I get plenty of flowers but they fall off What do i need to do for the flowers to turn into mellons?

[@ntxg]

Hi Maxine! Do you see pollinators around? Take a damp Qtip and touch flowers gently to see if that helps. The heat plays a big part too. Be sure to fertilize them as well

[@theresam567]

I planted seeds from a bought melon. Two were put in the fridge when ripe, my fridge freezes alot of things. Anyway, tried to eat them & they were awful. The taste was rotted fruit, tangy, bad. I gave to the animals. Idk if it was the variety of fruit or what. I've had store bought cantaloupe in the fridge & they were fine. Must be the variety. :/

[@ntxg]

OH NO Theresa.....it could be they were GMO Seeds gal. Let me know if you need more.

[@theresam567]

@@ntxg Yeah, I don't know. My kid bought it, & I can't remember if it had a label. I think it was organic, & was why I planted the seeds. I don't have the greatest luck because we have 100+ degree days, less than 20% humidity, & no rain, for 6mths. I gave it a shot, started out well, learned more, but yucky fruit if not eaten same day picked. I finally got pomegranates to survive, but may have destroyed them this week because of overwatering, temps have come down especially at night. :/ Fingers crossed. Btw, thanks for replying. ☺

[@2wheeler58]

Wouldn't a melon baller be a better tool or use a knife to cut into bite size pieces be easier to serve. A serving of cantaloupe is nearly 6 ounces and smaller pieces would be easier to measure. I am happy to see that i can freeze my favorite fruit...cantaloupe.

[@ntxg]

Hidy Suzanne...it sure would. I don't have one and need to get one. If froze well especially for smoothies. Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you very much. Praying you are healthy and well. Jill