{"product_id":"5-seeds-benincasa-hispida-wax-gourd-winter-melon-vegetable","title":"5 Seeds Benincasa hispida Wax Gourd Winter Melon Vegetable","description":"\u003cp\u003eBenincasa hispida, commonly known as wax gourd or winter melon, is a warm-season vining vegetable prized for its large, mild-flavored fruit and long storage life. This plant is well suited to home gardens and market plots, where its robust growth and sprawling habit make it a productive addition to the summer vegetable patch.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe immature and mature fruit is used in a wide range of savory dishes such as soups, stir-fries, and braised preparations, while the sturdy vines can be grown on trellises or left to sprawl along the ground. The harmless powdery substance on the fruit surface acts as a natural preservative, allowing harvested gourds to remain usable for extended periods when kept in a cool, dry location.\u003cbr\u003e\nSpecies: Benincasa hispida\u003cbr\u003e\nType: Annual vegetable\u003cbr\u003e\nPlant_Habit: Vigorous trailing vine\u003cbr\u003e\nSun: Full sun\u003cbr\u003e\nSoil: Well-drained, fertile loam\u003cbr\u003e\nDays_to_Harvest: 90 to 120\u003cbr\u003e\nZones: 4 to 11\u003cbr\u003e\nGermination: 7 to 14 days at 75 to 85 F\u003cbr\u003e\nSowing: Start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil warms\u003cbr\u003e\nSpacing: 36 to 48 inches between plants\u003cbr\u003e\nNotes: Provide trellis or ample ground space for vines\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blake's Flora \u0026 Soil","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67663182790792,"sku":"EXGA-556","price":19.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0717\/4648\/6408\/files\/download_e820e0d7-66d1-48ff-9085-6667cce05e29.png?v=1791895954","url":"https:\/\/www.natesgardensupply.com\/products\/5-seeds-benincasa-hispida-wax-gourd-winter-melon-vegetable","provider":"Nate's Garden Supply","version":"1.0","type":"link"}