Growing Cantaloupe or Melons - Tips on How to Grow Cantaloupe

Growing melons, muskmelons, or cantaloupe. Few garden crops go by so many names. But there are few things as mouthwatering as a fresh cantaloupe or melon from the garden. But there are a few things to keep in mind to get that sweet melon taste, so here are our tips on how to grow cantaloupe or melons.

First, you need to know how much room you want to dedicate to your melon crop. Growing melons can take more room than most garden crops, up to 40 square feet in some cases. If you have the room for a full sized melon, that’s fine, or you can try some things to reduce the space required, but you need to plan that up front. Growing cantaloupe varieties that are smaller like Sugar Bush and New Hampshire Midget will reduce the space, and these can be grown in containers if you like.

The easiest way to reduce the space needed is to plant a dwarf melon variety. These will still spread out on the ground, but take less space than a standard cantaloupe. The other popular alternative is to try growing them on a support or trellis of some type. The individual fruits will need some support if they are on a trellis, one common idea is to use old panty hose to hold up the ripening melons.

Planting - Melons can easily be started by direct seeding in the garden. Plant the seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Typically they are planted in hills, 4-6 feet apart depending on the variety. They are very intolerant of frost and need warmer temperature, so plant at least 4 weeks after the last frost date. They will take 80 to 100 days (warm summer days) to mature.

Fertilizing - One application of a slow release fertilizer at planting time, which can followed by monthly fertilization if desired. Go light on the nitrogen, which will encourage leaf growth but not do much for fruit development.
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Watering - Like most garden crops, melons need about 1 inch of water a week for most of the growing season. However, too much water as they are ripening will dilute the sweet flavor. So, reduce watering by about 1/2 during the last month of growth, and stop altogether after you start picking. Most of the sugars in the muskmelon are produced in the last week or so, and too much water will inhibit the production.

Harvesting - The plants are ripe when the stem easily detaches from the ripened melon. You may have to pick them a few days early because the ripened fruit will attract everything from birds to pillbugs as the aroma fills the air. Ripen them indoors in a cool spot.