The ancient technique of dry-grown melon still practiced in Lunamatrona

Lunamatrona - An ancient melon cultivation technique is still practiced today in Lunamatrona, which was developed in order to be able to cultivate it even in drought areas. The technique is called dry-grown melon and is practiced starting from the seeds of the melon. In an unorthodox way, the seeds of a freshly opened melon can be used. The rule, however, is that they set aside seeds to use the following year.

Growers choose the best ones and then, when it's time to sow, they wet them lightly to cool them. Once the furrow in which to plant the seeds was done manually, with the hoe, while today the mechanical plow is used, which has considerably shortened the processing times. The groove that is made to put the seeds is called in Sardinian language 'sa forada'. The seeds are buried at least 5 centimeters deep, and then covered with earth. This ancient cultivation method has been the subject of some public interventions so that it is not abandoned and indeed can be implemented as it is typical of the Marmilla area.