Jean-Marc Binet has chosen to farm melons, aubergines, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables in his 6 greenhouse tunnels. ''Many growers ask what to put in their tunnels in the summer? Having worked in the horticultural school in Gembloux for 8 years, I knew that testing Cavaillon type melons would give good results here'' explains Mr Binet who has been growing this type of melon for 20 years already.
At the moment the fruits are the size of a fist, but will be on the shelves of the Ferme du Vallon in a few weeks. ''In 8 days they will be a normal size, logically at the end of June, start of August, they will be ripe. And much better than Moroccan or Spanish melons''.
Rain doesn't really effect melons, but the cold really could. ''One mustn't put them out too early, even under a shelter. Not before mid-May'' explains the grower. The fruit ripens quickly and does not keep long, so the farmer must be quick about selling his stock.