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What is a Decker melon? Only one of the sweetest, juiciest, heftiest, most sought-after melons in Indiana you can sink your teeth into on a hot summer afternoon. But Decker is not a variety of melon. The moniker refers to the town (population 249) – and its environs in southern Knox County, Indiana – where these highly reputed cantaloupes (technically, muskmelons) and watermelons are grown.
It’s a Decker art and tradition that spans more than 100 years. The area’s temperate climate and perfectly sandy soil, along with the knowledge, expertise and love that has been passed from generation to generation, turn out melons so good they taste like a cool bite of heaven.
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Related story: Decker Melon Memories
These melons are the best in the world. I have eaten melons from all over the globe and these are outstanding. When will they be in and what stores will have them. I live in Mooresville and we have Miers-Marshes and Kroger & Walmart. I usually go through that area in July and stop at the roadside stands. Thanks.
Ernie
Hi Ernest,
Melons may be ripening a little early this year due to the mild winter and warm spring we’ve had, but typically they ripen in July. I recommend stopping at a farmers market or roadside stand in the area to find Decker melons.
Thanks,
Jessy Yancey, editor
My Indiana Home
Drove 50 miles in search of a decker melon. I found no roDSIDE STANDS OR GROCERIES IN THE AREA OF NABB. i CAME HOME MELONLESS and disappointed. Any suggestions?
Hi Sharon,
I’m so sorry to hear that you were unable to find any melons. Due to the drought conditions, many farms are experiencing delayed fruit production. In fact, the Decker area – Knox County in southwestern Indiana – is experience the worst drought in the state: http://www.btny.purdue.edu/pubs/vegcrop/VCH2012/VCH554.pdf
Due to the weather, it may be a little early in the summer for melons to be plentiful. You can still probably find them at some farmers markets and at larger grocery stores. Just because they’re at the supermarket doesn’t mean they aren’t grown in Indiana – farms such as Frey Farms in Poseyville do sell them directly to Walmart and other big-name stores: http://magissues.farmprogress.com/OFM/OF01Jan11/ofm032.pdf
Hope this helps, and sorry again to hear you haven’t been able to find any melons yet this summer!
Best,
Jessy Yancey
editor, My Indiana Home
Harper’s Indiana Produce on Facebook
We are a roadside stand located in Bloomfield, IN
We carry melons especially cantaloupe in season from
Southern Indiana including Daviess & Knox county melons 🙂
Stop on by located next to Dairy Queen in Bloomfield, IN
I guess people quit commenting on Decker melons in 2016 hopefully somebody will but if not I will I was just trying to remember when they start running I was thinking it was mid to late June no later than mid July I could hardly wait
Same! I have not yet found any this year. Perhaps the late freeze we had in May set them back a bit. Our local farm stand is not even open yet, which is rare. I cut into a well-reputed melon from Trader Joe’s and it was so awful, it went right out the back door to the compost bin. Can’t wait for Deckers!
Johnny’s Market in Broad Ripple has them.
Where can I purchase the (decker) cantaloupe in South Carolina ? Can they be shipped ?
David Zimmer usually has Decker melons at his fruit and vegetable stand on Madison Avenue north of Main Street in Greenwood.
where can I buy on north side of Indianapolis?
Johnny’s produce stand on College Ave just north of Broad Ripple Ave has had them for a few days now. They are large and delicious as always!
Feeling nostalgic today so looked up Decker. I grew up there and worked in those melon fields. Planted, hoed, turned them vines and picked those melons along with the watermelons. Wow what I wouldn’t give for just one of those melons today! Man it was so hot out in those fields. Used to work at Betty’s Cafe and Pug’s drug store too. The Butler sisters were out best friends, their folks owned the tavern. My step dad’s Father owned Daub’s live bait shop just outside of Decker, worked there too-hated that! Wonder what it looks like today. Used to borrow the pastor’s bike and ride the levee over to Hamilton to deposit my big paycheck in the bank, made .10 per hour and tried to save up for new school clothes every year. Patty Lane was my BEST FRIEND in Decker, wonder where she is today.
Anyone want to reply please do.
Tina
Hi Tina. Do u remember me, Brenda Glasenapp. U were very kind in high school which is do rare. I still see Rockie and her daughter’s. How are u,? I’m on facebook
Patty passed away s few years ago
I am a Hoosier from Jamestown for 65 years but now live in chicago. Hope my nephew in Evansville will meet me half way w a bushel of melons. We did drive through decker and saw old high school. Good times for you I’m sure. If I must I’ll drive to Knox county myself, mid July best time for decker melons ??
Also hope to find in Indy. Rick
where can we find you
Hi Gayle,
You can find Decker melons at roadside stands and farmers markets around Knox County. I would check the CVB’s website at http://www.vincennescvb.org/attractions/1/agritourism. Hope this helps!
Jessy Yancey
editor, My Indiana Home
Does anyone know, about when the cantalopes are expected this year 2019? In Knox county.
I would love to find out harvesting times/availability as well
Where can we buy December melons in south Greenwood area?
Should be Decker melons? Spellcheck?
I grew up in South West Ohio, and now live in Minnesota. How can I buy a few seeds so I can grow these melons where I now live. I could get them when I drove into Indiana. I miss them! Nobody I call seems to know the actual variety to tell me. A “Decker melon” is what variety or is it a town specific variety? I’d appreciate any help. Thanks-Gerard in Minnesota