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After your last frost date, sow seeds 1/2″ deep in the soil directly into the garden in small hills or rows spaced 36″ apart. Once the seedlings have germinated, use small snips to thin the cantaloupe seedlings to 2-3 per hill, or one plant every 36″ in a row.
How do you prepare cantaloupe seeds for planting?
What is the best way to grow cantaloupe?
Plant cantaloupes in full sun in well-drained soil. Cantaloupe plants need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush planting. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50 to 60 degrees F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart.
Should I soak cantaloupe seeds before planting?
Cantaloupe seeds must be mature to germinate, so it’s best to only take seed from fully ripened fruit. Let the seeds soak at room temperature out of direct light for several days, stirring them occasionally to help dislodge the seeds from the sticky pulp.
How long does cantaloupe take to grow from seed?
How long do cantaloupe seeds take to germinate? In warm soil (above 75°F), cantaloupe seeds will pop up quickly—within 3-5 days. In cooler soils, it might take as long as a week to 10 days before they germinate.
Can you plant seeds from a store bought cantaloupe?
In order to grow seeds from a store-bought melon, it’s essential the seeds are harvested, cleaned, and stored properly. In addition, many grocery store melons were picked before they were ripe, which can result in immature seeds that won’t germinate.
Is cantaloupe easy to grow?
Cantaloupes (aka rockmelons, sweet melons, and spanspeks) are an easy growing specialty melon that can be direct sown after all danger of frost, or started indoors 3-4 weeks before setting out. Cantaloupe plants take around 80 days to mature on average and is the most hardy when grown in zones 4-10 as a summer annual.
What month do you plant cantaloupe?
When planting cantaloupe, wait until the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed in spring. You can either sow seeds directly in the garden or in flats inside (do this well before their initial planting outdoors), or you can use transplants purchased from reputable nurseries or garden centers.
How do you get seeds to sprout?
First, place the seeds in a bowl or jar. Then, fill with water: use around 2-3 times the amount of water to seeds. Keep them in a dark place at room temperature for 8-12 hours. Once you’ve soaked your seeds and started the germination process, the next stage is to rinse and drain them until they start sprouting.
How do you germinate cantaloupe seeds in a paper towel?
Place them on a paper towel and place the seeds an inch or more apart from each other. Using a spray bottle, fully dampen the paper towel with the seeds. Fold the paper towel and place it a Ziploc bag, then label with the date and fruit type. Keep the bag in a warm and dry place making sure the seeds are kept wet.
Do you need to dry seeds before planting?
Seeds need to properly mature, the seed coating needs to dry and cure, and they need a rest period prior to planting. That way you don’t have an impermeable seed coat that will not allow water in and will grow foul and rotten before the embryo can germinate.
How many cantaloupes will one plant produce?
Unlike other varieties, the vines only spread up to three feet. Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
How many cantaloupes grow in a container?
Pot Size for Planting Cantaloupes For growing cantaloupes, you’ll need a large 16 to 18 inches pot. In a really large, 24 inches pot, you can try growing 2 cantaloupes vines. You can also make a trellis or cage around the pot, at the time of planting, so they get the right support system from the start.
How do you plant melon seeds?
Prepare the soil for the melon planting about 2 weeks before the average last spring frost date in your area. Use compost and fertilizer. Form six to eight inch high raised beds to speed soil warming and have good drainage. Plant the seeds ½ to one inch deep. Sow 2 or 3 seeds in groups 18 to 24 inches apart.
How long does it take for cantaloupe to grow?
How long does it have to grow? Cantaloupe matures in about 80 to 90 days. Melons are normally ready to harvest when they start turning yellow on the bottom and the stem starts turning brown.
How do you save cantaloupe seeds?
Storing Melon Seeds Spread the good seeds out on a paper towel or a screen. Allow them to dry for several days. Storing melon seeds that are not completely dry results in moldy seeds. Once the seeds are very dry, place them in a clean, dry glass jar.
Do cantaloupes need to climb?
Cantaloupe, like other Cucurbits, grow long vines. By training the vines to climb a vertical structure, you save space in your garden while still giving the melons plenty of space to stretch.
Can you grow cantaloupe in a container?
Can I grow cantaloupes in a container garden? This is a common question, and space-challenged melon lovers are happy to learn that the answer is yes, you can grow cantaloupe in pots — if you can provide the proper growing conditions.
What can you not plant with cantaloupe?
Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, okra, spinach, sunflowers, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts also flourish in the companionship of melons. Avoid planting melons with potatoes. Marigolds – Adding a splash of brilliant color, marigolds are “great neighbors” to most any vegetable crop, especially melons.
How often do you water a cantaloupe?
Cantaloupes need plenty of water, but not enough to make a soggy garden. Give your crops one to two inches of water per week, watering the soil directly to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting powdery mildew. Once fruit begins to grow, reduce your watering, as dry weather is best for sweeter melons.
Can I plant cantaloupe in May?
Cantaloupe prefers warm weather, so don’t plant it before temperatures have warmed in the spring. Sow seeds outside about 2 weeks after the last frost date when soil temperatures are about 65℉. In the low desert of Arizona, the best time to plant cantaloupe is from February 15 through July.
Do cantaloupe plants come back every year?
A: Unfortunately, cantaloupes are an annual and will die off once the vine has finished producing its melons.
