Color Me Cool: Watermelon
HEALTHY FOOD IN LIVING COLOR: MOUTH-WATERING WATERMELON
Watermelon’s distinctive striped outer shell and the rich color of its flesh make it a fun food for coloring. But before you get the red crayon out, take your kids to this UCLA Science and Food website post on watermelon to show them the fruit comes in other colors, too. Who knew?!
According to the article, a watermelon’s flavor has a lot to do with its color. A yellow Early Moonbeam, a pale Cream of Saskatchewan and a deep red Crimson Sweet have noticeably different flavors, for example.
Read moreArtful & Ad-Worthy Melons
WATERMELON IN ART & ADVERTISING: 4 PAINTINGS
How about that ginormous watermelon?! The small print at the bottom of this 1909 postcard reads, “This Is How Watermelon Grows in California.” And someone has handwritten on the image of the giant fruit, “Doesn’t this look good to you. Wonderful!”
I’m not sure if that painting got anyone to move to California, but I’m guessing a few. Some people will believe anything!
Below you’ll find three still life paintings that depict watermelons in very different styles. Two are by well known artists and the third is a tabletop painted by an unknown Mexican folk artist. Ask your kids to observe the paintings closely. Which one do they like best? Why? What other fruits and vegetables can they find in the paintings? Have they tried them all?
Read morePlant a Seed & Watch It Grow!
KIDS & GARDENS: GROWING WATERMELON IN A CONTAINER
What’s better than bringing home a watermelon from your local grocery store? Picking one out at the Farmers’ Market or picking one off the vine at a U-Pick farm. What’s even better than that? Picking one from your own garden!
Watermelons need lots of room, as they grow on a vining plant. In a small space, you can grow them upright in a pot on a trellis. As the fruit grows, you’ll need to use netting, stretchable cloth or a bag to create a hammock to support it.
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