cover image MELONS: A Passionate Grower's Guide

MELONS: A Passionate Grower's Guide

Amy Goldman, . . Artisan, $25 (176pp) ISBN 978-1-57965-213-5

There's more to the world of melons than just the cantaloupe and honeydew, but this may not be true for long: many varieties are "on the brink of extinction," according to cultivator and collector Goldman. This handsome volume documents unusual types of melon—like the Collective Farm Woman (originally from Ukraine) and the serpent-shaped Snake melon—with lavish color photos and playful descriptions. Goldman also instructs readers on how to pollinate, grow and harvest these plants; includes a list of commercial sources; and throws in a few recipes and plenty of trivia ("the Chinese grow more watermelons than anyone else but... they eat the seeds and often discard the melons"). (May)