We’ve all seen bottles that have pears grown inside them, but have you ever seen a watermelon grown in a box? It’s one of the craziest things we’ve seen in awhile and although it’s not a new practice, it’s still mind boggling, every time we see it. They can run upwards of $100 in stores (if you can find them) but are easy to do in your own garden with the help of this tutorial...
How To: Make Shaped Watermelons
This is a common practice in Asian countries, in fact, many prefer it to the traditional round melon. They are easier to cut, take up less space in your refrigerator and stay where you put them without fear of rolling. All it requires is a box with a hole in the top, allowing for the stem to grow through and air to get in. The bonus to this style of shaped fruit is that it’s relatively protected from enemies such as bugs and animals wanting a snack from your garden!
Try it in your backyard with this tutorial from Instructables that will give you the low down on making your own box. You can purchase the polycarbonate plastic from most hardware stores, although often times it can be found in smaller pieces on Craigslist in the "materials" section. It's worth a look!
The sky is the limit with this idea, try our squares (or cubes rather), triangles and more!
Related:
• Recipe: Watermelon Popsicles
• Recipe: Watermelon, Rosemary, and Feta Salad
• Picnic Tip: How To Make a Watermelon Sling
(Images: Flickr Member Write From Karen & rumpleteaser licensed for use under Creative Commons)
Comments (7)
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really, we’ve all seen bottles that have pears grown inside them? have we?
view LegsBattaglia's profile
I can't say this is common practice in Asian countries. In fact, even in Japan, this practice is pretty much specific to Kagawa Prefecture, in Shikoku. The vast majority of Japanese have only seen this on tv, let alone bought or tasted one.
view Kenshi's profile
Thanks for the update Kenshi - From all the reading I had done it was phrased that is was more common, which would make it all the more uncommon to do it in your own backyard!
view sarahrae's profile
This actually made me laugh out loud. I've never seen a square melon before. I've never seen a pear grown in a bottle either. Maybe I need to get out more.
view jyw's profile
At The Land pavillion in Walt Disney World, Florida they grow lots of fruits and vegetables in many unusual ways, studying methods such as hydroponics and aeroponics, etc. They often grow watermelons and cucumbers for the restaurants so that when you slice them they are in the shape of Mickey Mouse. :)
view DCFlutist's profile
Maybe you should post the link the the story you did awhile back on pears in glass. I also saw a piece (somehere?) on growing fruit heart shaped for special holidays a la v-day.
view luv2cook's profile
When I was little we would always grow cucumbers in a soda bottle. I think I will try something with the kids pumpkins this year
view Icanmakeit's profile