Tips for Growing Cantaloupe

Choose an ideal location: Cantaloupe loves heat and sun. Plant it in a spot that receives full sunlight at least 8 hours a day, with well-draining soil that is amended with organic matter.

Timing: Sow your seeds after the last frost of spring in temperate climates and once temperatures have warmed to 75F degrees. It can also be planted as a second crop after harvesting spring vegetables.

Watering: Water your cantaloupes regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. It's best to water early in the day so that any water remaining on the foliage has time to dry off before evening sets in. Too much moisture on the leaves increases the risk of diseases like mildew and mold.

Mulching: Use organic mulch around plants to help conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Mulch should extend out two feet from plants and cover entire bed evenly, avoiding mounding over stems and foliage.

Supporting Stems: Vines grow quickly and can easily sprawl out if left unpruned or untrained along fences or other supports such as trellises or stakes. This will ensure even ripening as fruit develops along vines close to the support rather than underneath them in shaded areas away from sun exposure.

Harvesting: When melons turn yellowish-orange at their blossom end they are ripe and ready to harvest! They should feel slightly soft when pressed gently at the blossom end when they’re ripe enough to pick, so make sure you don’t wait too long or you’ll miss out on those peak flavor moments! Enjoy!