

These plants are often planted along a fence or in a vertical garden where they can climb a trellis. Many gardeners will grow them in rows, but like cucurbit, you can grow a large crop in mounds with about 2 feet between rows and 5-6 feet between each mound. PlacementĬantaloupe plants need a full-sun location, and they’re commonly grown in a widely spaced hills enriched in compost. Those in colder planting zones can begin seeds inside and transfer them into a summer garden later. A fast-growing variety will thrive in a cool and rainy spot, while all cantaloupe plants will require the ground to reach at least 70 degrees F before planting. This plant isn’t frost-tolerant at all, so cover the seedlings with a row cover or cloches until they bloom if you live in a colder region. In contrast, larger seedlings you buy at the store are ready to plant immediately.Ĭantaloupe roots tend not to tolerate being transplanted very well, so planting from seed directly into the garden is highly recommended.Īfter planting, water the plants very thoroughly. Once the plants have produced a second or third set of leaves, they’re ready for planting outdoors. You can also plant cantaloupe seeds indoors in flats, and transplant them into the garden when the weather is ideal. (Just remove the smallest, weakest sprout.) Allow 3 to 6 feet in between each row or hill for the best results, and after two weeks, you must thin the seedlings to include only two per hill. To directly sow the seeds into your garden, you’ll need to dig about an inch deep, and plant seeds in groups of three. Purchase cantaloupe seedlings from your local garden center to transplant in your garden, or grow your own from seed.
#PLANTING CANTALOUPE SEEDLINGS HOW TO#
How to Plant Cantaloupe JamesDeMers / Pixabay These smaller options may not taste as sweet as their larger companions, but are perfect if you’re growing for one person, or have limited space to play with. If you want to grow a cantaloupe plant in a container, choose a smaller variety such as Minnesota Midget or Honey Rock. Fastbreak: An early variety that’s ready to pick in as little as 70 days.Honey Bun Hybrid: This variety isn’t as widely available, but it produces smaller melons with 3- to 4-foot-long vines.Its vines can reach 8 feet long, so it’s better for large yards. Superstar: This option has large fruit with an incredibly sweet flavor.Athena: Large melons are ready in around 75 days.Hearts of Gold: This variety creates small and very round fruits, and organic cultivars are available.Ambrosia: Smaller, peach-colored melons that will mature in 85 days.Sweet ‘N Early Hybrid: Only takes 75 days to mature and produces small, sweet fruit.Its fruit will mature around 85 days after planting. Sweet Passion: An heirloom variety with some disease and drought resistance.Planter’s Jumbo: This option is tolerant of drought and heat, so it’s perfect for dry, hot locations.Hale’s Best Jumbo: Larger and sweeter than many other varieties, this choice is perfect if you have plenty of space for the vines to spread.Honey Rock: A small, sweet variety that’s ideal for planting in containers.Note: While growing cantaloupe in containers or transplanting starts isn’t always ideal, these options are available. As a result, it’s smart to plant a few different varieties if you’d like harvest throughout the season. They all share a similar texture and flavor, so where varieties differ the most is in fruit size. If you want to grow cantaloupe in your backyard, there are many varieties you can choose from.

Popular Cantaloupe Varieties droberson / Pixabay Read on to learn everything you need to know to grow your own backyard cantaloupe with ease and find the right variety for you. You just need to choose a smaller variety. Growing these beauties is fairly easy with the right conditions and a warm, sunny location, and the fruit makes a perfect summertime treat. A cantaloupe plant-also known as a muskmelon-is a common sight in many summer gardens.
