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Cantaloupe Melon
Cucumis melo
Fragrant heat-lovers that ripen to a soft, aromatic sweetness.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep, weekly
Soil
Rich, well-drained, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
90 cm apart
Days to harvest
75–90 days
Hardiness
Zones 4–11 (annual)
Seasonal Calendar
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Start warm indoors
Sow 3 weeks before last frost. Use fresh seed for best germination.
- 2
Plant into warm soil
Wait until nights are above 12°C. Cover with cloches in cool climates.
- 3
Feed and mulch
Feed weekly with tomato food once flowers appear.
- 4
Harvest by scent
Ripe melons smell strongly and slip easily from the vine with a gentle twist.
Common problems
Cracking fruit
Steady watering; sudden rain after drought splits melons.
Powdery mildew
Grow resistant varieties; water at the base.
Good neighbors
CornRadishMarigold
Field tips
- “A ripe cantaloupe releases its stem when lifted — no cutting needed.”
- “Save the seeds — most heirloom varieties come true from seed.”