Table of Contents
Cantaloupe prefers warm weather, so don’t plant it before temperatures have warmed in the spring. Cantaloupe does best when direct sown. Sow seeds outside about 2 weeks after the last frost date when soil temperatures are about 65℉.
What month do you plant cantaloupe seeds?
Cantaloupes grow best in very warm to hot weather. Sow cantaloupe (muskmelon) seed in the garden or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date in spring. Start cantaloupe seed indoors about 6 weeks before transplanting seedlings into the garden.
What month is the best time to 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 long does it take to grow cantaloupe from seed?
Most cantaloupe cultivars take between 65-90 days from germination to reach maturity, so let that be your guide. To sow in seed trays, add a good quality potting mix to each cell and then use your finger to make a 1/2-inch-deep hole in each one.
Should I soak cantaloupe seeds before planting?
It’s best to soak the ground or the potting soil heavily when first planting, then avoid watering again if possible until seedlings emerge. (For seeds in potting soil, keep them warm but out of direct sunlight so that they don’t dry out so fast.).
What time of year do cantaloupes grow?
Here in California, farmers will begin harvesting cantaloupes in the southern desert area as early as April and into July. They will be joined in June by cantaloupes from the 200-mile stretch of farmland on the west side of California’s San Joaquin Valley that spans from Bakersfield to Sacramento.
When should you sow cantaloupe?
Direct sow melons in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 70°F (21°C). In warm-winter regions, sow melons in midwinter for harvest in early summer.
Where does cantaloupe grow best?
Cantaloupes do best in well-draining soil that’s a mix between loamy and sandy. Plant in a spot that gets full sun. To produce the best melons, the plants need all the light they can get. Plus, afternoon sun will dry off leaves, reducing the risk of fungal and other diseases that come with wet foliage.
What month do you plant melons?
Start melon seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden outside. Sow seed indoors at the end of April, about 2 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost date. Use peat pots or other biodegradable containers that you can place directly into garden soils. Use larger pots than you would for other vegetables.
What is the best way to grow cantaloupe?
Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won’t crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates.
How long does it take cantaloupe to get right?
It takes a cantaloupe plant 70 to 100 days after planting to be ready for harvest. If you pick them sooner, there’s a good chance you’ll get hard, bitter or flavorless melon. Also, it’s important to note that they stop ripening once picked unlike many other fruits!Mar 3, 2021.
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.
Can I grow cantaloupe from fresh seeds?
Cantaloupe seeds must be mature to germinate, so it’s best to only take seed from fully ripened fruit. After a few days, the water will develop a layer of floating seeds that should be discarded because they’re not viable.
Do melon seeds need to be soaked?
Many types of plant seeds benefit from pre-planting soaking to soften the outer seed coating and hasten germination. However, watermelons are an exception to the rule. Soaking the seeds before planting increases the risks of various fungal diseases, such as anthracnose caused by the Colletotrichum lagenarium fungus.
What is the season for melons?
During the months of May to September, melons are in season. While available year-round in a supermarket, melons are much more affordable during the summer season. The three most popular melons in America are cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew.
Can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?
Size. The foremost concern in planting both cantaloupe and watermelons in the same garden bed is space. The vines of both melons spread far and will grow wherever they can to access sunlight. Plants too close together cause unnecessary competition for light, soil moisture and nutrients.
How many melons does a plant produce?
During that time, a melon vine must grow 5-9 leaves before starting to flower, then set 4 or more male flowers before making its first female flower, and then ripen its first set of melons before cool damp weather sets in. Harvest: Expect one, possibly two melons per plant.
When should I start cantaloupe seeds indoors?
Sowing Seed Indoors: Direct sowing is recommended, but to get a head start you can grow cantaloupe indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost in individual biodegradable pots indoors.
Do cantaloupes need full sun?
Like most melons, cantaloupes require full sun in addition to warm temperatures. Lack of sunlight will slow down growth to a great extent, and result in an inferior crop. In addition to choosing a sunny location, you can increase soil temperature by mulching the soil with black plastic.
Can I plant cantaloupe in June?
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 late February through July.
