What is in a name? That which we call a winter melon (冬瓜) and a winter er (冬莪 or or 茼蒿)

fresh flesh of winter melon

The name of winter melon (冬瓜) is deceiving in that it may grow in the winter; it actually requires very warm to hot weather to grow.  It is so named as its fruit (冬瓜) can be stored for many months to be used during the winter.  We grew it indoors in March/April and transplanted them outdoors before the Memorial Day; several of them perished when the unexpected frost came during the Memorial Day weekend.
 
Winter er (冬莪 or 茼蒿 tong ho) is truly a winter plant.  We planted them in the spring and harvested before the hot summer came.  We planted them again when the end of summer was approaching as they prefer cool weather and can stand the test of frost.


a 30-lb winter melon

winter er (冬莪 or 茼蒿 tong ho) in spring