Soil & Water: Amend soil well with aged manure or compost. Where summers are cool, lay black plastic to retain heat and plant into holes through the plastic. Keep young vines well watered and fed, tapering off water as fruits ripen.

Planting & Growing:Plant transplants or seeds only when weather is warm and settled with temperatures above 50 degrees. Plant seeds in rows 4 feet apart, sow groups of 2-3 seeds every 2 feet. Thin to stronges seedling per group so spacing is one every 2 feet. If using hill method, sow 5-6 seeds per 2 foot diameter mound. Thin to 3 strongest plant.

Harvesting & Storage: Pick when fully colored, heavy and fragrant and pull easily off vines.