How to Grow:
Sow seeds indoors 2 weeks before transplanting to get a head start on your season. You can begin plant outdoors 2 weeks after your last spring frost and throughout the summer up to 14 weeks before your first fall frost. You can see specific dates for your location using our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App.
Sow 1 seed per 2 square feet about 1 inch deep. You can can place a trellis by the squares for the vines to help to save space and grow vertically. Make sure to plant in a space that has full sun. Take care to notice what plants are around the area as well, see the companion plant section below. It will take approximately 5-14 days for your seeds to sprout. Provide your cantaloupe plant with moderate and consistent moisture from germination until the fruit is almost full-sized. Reduce watering significantly at this time to improve sweetness. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering.
Companion Plants:
Companion planting is a vital part of organic gardening. Companion plants assist in the growth of others by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or providing nutrients, shade, or support. There are also plants that do not like being next to each other. Some plants get too tall and can provide too much shade for your plant. Sometimes certain plants attract the same pests, so it is important to try and separate these. Herbs are especially great companion plants because they help to repel pests from your other plants!
| Good | Bad | |
| Acorn Squash | Mustard Greens | Cucumbers |
| Basil | Nasturtiums | Potatoes |
| Broccoli | Okra | Watermelon |
| Butternut Squash | Onions | |
| Catnip | Oregano | |
| Chives | Peas | |
| Cilantro/Coriander | Pumpkin | |
| Corn | Radish | |
| Dill | Sage | |
| Garlic | Spaghetti Squash | |
| Marigolds | Summer Squash (Zucchini) | |
| Marjoram | Sunflowers | |
| Mint | Tarragon | |
See companion plants for 70+ foods in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web app!
Pests:
Pests can be one of the most difficult challenges you face in the garden. We strive to grow food without the use of pesticide and luckily there are natural solutions for most of these nasty pests! The pests listed below are common ones for cantaloupe:
- Aphids
- Birds
- Cucumber Beetles
- Cutworms
- Fruit Worms
- Groundhogs (Woodchucks)
- Raccoons
- Squash Bugs
- Squash Vine Borer
- Voles (field mice)
Learn more about pests and beneficial insects in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App!
Harvesting:
You will begin to be able to harvest your cantaloupe approximately 80-100 days from first sprout. When fruit starts to give off a strong melon scent, it means it’s getting close. The tendrils closest to the fruit will also turn brown, and the stem should snap off easily if it ready to harvest.
How to Prepare:
Learn more about growing over 80 different foods, including how to manage various pests in our FREE iOS, Android, or new Universal Web App!
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