Picking your own melons in Saxony-Anhalt: a fruity experience!

Picking your own melons in Saxony-Anhalt: a fruity experience!

In Saxony-Anhalt, melon lovers have the opportunity to pick freshly harvested watermelons themselves. Farmer André Laue from the Elbaue horse farm in Schönebeck leads the cultivation of melons in the region, where these fruits have so far been a rarity. Laue started cultivating melon plants in his fields in Salzland County two years ago to fill a gap between the strawberry and pumpkin seasons. He reports that many visitors are surprised not to know how melons grow. Some of its melons can weigh up to six kilograms.

The weather conditions this year were extremely favorable for growing melons. Botanically, watermelons belong to the pumpkin family and are often imported into Germany from Spain. There are only a few melon farmers in Saxony-Anhalt, as the farmers' association states. However, Laue sees potential in his cultivation and plans to grow other melon varieties in the future.

Visitor attraction and challenges

The challenge of growing melons should not be underestimated, as many amateur gardeners have difficulty cultivating these plants successfully. Melon plants are grown in greenhouses until the end of May and then placed outdoors on special films. This is necessary to protect the plants from cold soil and waterlogging. Customers tend to pick up at least two melons as the fruit has a long shelf life.

In addition to the melon season, the Elbaue horse farm also offers strawberries and raspberries for self-harvesting, with melons being available since the beginning of August. Picking fresh fruit in Saxony-Anhalt is very popular, and the farm is a popular destination for families and fruit lovers.

Pick-your-own options in Saxony-Anhalt

However, self-harvesting doesn't just extend to melons. There are a variety of other offers in Saxony-Anhalt. Here are some attractive options:

• Zwischen Halberstadt und Aspenstedt: Erdbeeren der Sorte Cadenza.
• Stendaler Scheunenladen: Selbsternte von Sauerkirschen ab Ende Juli.
• Agrar- und Absatzgenossenschaft Naumburg: Äpfel zum Selbstpflücken ab September.
• Obstgut Höroldt in Allstedt OT Liedersdorf: Süßkirschen und Aprikosen aktuell, Sauerkirschen ab Ende Juli.
• Pferdehof Elbaue in Schönebeck: Erdbeeren und Himbeeren aktuell, Melonen ab Anfang August.

To expand the range of self-picking options, we recommend taking a look at the website mundraub.org, where thousands of exposed bushes and trees are shown that invite you to pick yourself. Nature lovers and fruit lovers can experience the diversity of the fruit harvest in Saxony-Anhalt up close.