Cantaloupe

Cucurbitaceae

Developed 1920s by Japanese immigrants in California, named after C.C. Hale. Parent to many modern hybrids. THE classic American cantaloupe/muskmelon — thick, sweet, salmon-orange flesh with rich aroma and small seed cavity. 3-6 lbs. More drought tolerant than other melons. Natural PM and rust resistance. Productive — 3-5 melons per vine. Thrives in hot, dry weather. ~30-35 days from pollination to harvest. FULL SLIP harvest indicator.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

80–90 days

Sun

8+ hours

Seed Start

3–4 weeks

before transplant

Container

Not Ideal

10+ gallon pot

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–14 days

Optimal Temp 85°F

Seed Depth 1"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 70°F

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs High

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Recommended Recipes Worm castings topdress, Compost tea, Kelp foliar

Sources

seed-catalog Thresh Seed Co — Hale's Best Jumbo seed-catalog Burpee — Hale's Best Jumbo university UMD Extension — Melon Ripening/Harvest university Clemson Extension — Cantaloupe/Honeydew university University of Minnesota Extension — Growing melons in the home garden university Utah State University Extension — How to Grow Cantaloupe (Muskmelon) in Your Garden university Colorado State University Extension — PlantTalk: Warm season vegetables (frost tender, best growth temps) university University of Maryland Extension — Ripening behaviors and harvest indexes of watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydew melons

More Vegetables

Cantaloupe Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Cantaloupe vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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