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Planting and Growing Cantaloupes: Sweet Summer Melons

Botanical Name
Cucumis melo
Grown as
Annual
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
High
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
6-10 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Yellow
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Fragrant
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Pollinators
Resilience
Heat-Tolerant
Plant Type
Fruit
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Nothing whispers summer like a chilled slice of sweet, orange cantaloupe juice dribbling down your chin. 

Good news: These sun-loving melons are easy to grow—and even easier to devour. Let’s get planting!

Cantaloupes are a type of melon with a tan-green rind. Typically, the rind is covered in a spiderweb-like pattern, though some varieties may also be striped. Inside, the flesh is bright orange and sweet. Their growing requirements are similar to those of other popular melons, such as watermelons and honeydew melons.

Cantaloupes sliced

Planting

Plant in a spot that gets full sun (6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day) with well-draining soil that’s a mix between loamy and sandy. (Growing the plants in raised rows—a.k.a. “hills”—ensures good drainage.) Amend the soil with aged manure or compost before planting. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.

Mulching the planting site with black plastic will serve multiple purposes: It will warm the soil ahead of planting, hinder weed growth, and keep developing fruits clean.

When to Plant Cantaloupes

This warm-season, very tender crop thrives in heat and hates the cold! It thrives in warmer climates with longer growing seasons.

  • It’s best started directly from seed. If you live in a warmer climate, you may direct sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost is well past and when the soil temperature warms to at least 70°F (21°C).
  • However, if you’re set on growing cantaloupes in a colder region, you can start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Transplant outdoors 2 to 3 weeks after the last spring frost when the soil is at least 70°F (21°C). 

How to Plant Cantaloupes

  • Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 18 inches apart, in hills (or hilled rows) about 3 feet apart.
  • If you have limited space, vines can be trained up a support, such as a trellis.
  • If you plant indoors, use peat pots or soil blocks to avoid root disturbance. Harden off seedlings before transplanting. 

Cantaloupes growing

Growing

  • If a soil test indicates that nutrients are lacking, fertilize with a standard liquid fertilizer when vines start growing and spreading. Later on, avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers, as too much nitrogen can result in lots of foliage and less fruit.
  • Row covers are a good way to keep pests like squash bugs and vine borers at bay.
  • Watering is key. While the plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need about 2 inches per square foot of water (about 1.5 gallons) per week.
    • Water in the morning, and try to avoid wetting the leaves, as wet foliage encourages fungal and other diseases.
    • If possible, use drip irrigation to keep plants consistently and evenly watered.
    • Mulching around the plants can help to retain moisture.
    • Reduce watering once fruits are growing. Hot, dry weather produces the sweetest melons.
    • If you’ve had an exceptional amount of rainfall during the ripening stage, this can cause bland fruit.
  • Once fruit begins to grow, prune end buds off vines. Your plants may produce fewer melons, but they will be larger and of better quality.
  • Vines produce male and female flowers separately on the same plant. They often begin producing male flowers several weeks before the females appear. (Don’t be discouraged when the first blooms do not produce fruit.)
  • As with other cucurbits, melons have flowers that require pollination to set fruit, so be kind to the bees!
  • If your muskmelons taste bland, the trouble could be a lack of magnesium in sandy soil. Sweeten the fruit by spraying the vines with this solution: Dissolve 6-1/2 tablespoons of Epsom salts and 3-1/3 tablespoons of borax in 5 gallons of water. Spray the foliage when the vines begin to “run” and again when the fruit is about 2 inches in diameter.

Harvesting

How and When to Harvest Cantaloupes

  • When rinds begin to change from green to tan or yellow, the melon is typically ripe enough to pick. Be careful not to pick too early, however.
  • Look for a crack in the stem where it attaches to the fruit. This is a sign of ripeness as well. The fruit should be easy to separate from the vine, but if the fruits fall off by themselves, they are usually overripe.
  • Harvest melons when vines are dry, and be careful not to damage them.
  • Melons will soften after harvesting but will not continue to sweeten off the vine.
  • Cantaloupe can be stored uncut for 5 or 6 days. If cut, they can last in the refrigerator for about 3 days, wrapped tightly in plastic.

Pests and Problems

Cantaloupe Pests and Diseases
Pest/DiseaseTypeSymptomsControl/Prevention
AphidsInsectMisshapen/yellow leaves; distorted flowers; leaf drop; sticky “honeydew” (excretion) on leaves; sooty, black moldKnock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap; inspect new plants carefully; use slow-release fertilizers; avoid excess nitrogen; encourage aphid pests such as lacewings, ladybugs, spiders.
Cucumber beetlesInsectHoles in leaves/flowers; rasped fruit; plants stunted/die; may transmit bacterial wilt (Bacterial wilt signs: wilting; plants die; ends of cut stems, when pressed together for 10 seconds and pulled apart, release stringy, white sap)Handpick; mulch heavily; use row covers; destroy plants infected with bacterial wilt.
Cucumber mosaic virusVirusStunting; mottled green/yellow/white pattern or ringed spots on leaves/fruit; distorted leaf growth; warts on fruitDestroy infected plants; choose resistant varieties and certified virus-free seed; use row covers; disinfect tools; weed; control aphids; use mulch.
Fusarium wiltFungusPlants wilt (sometimes on just one side) in daytime; leaves turn yellow (lower ones first); later, entire plant wilts/dies; stunting; stem cross section reveals brown discolorationDestroy infected plants; avoid excessive nitrogen; in acidic soils, raise pH to 7.0; choose resistant varieties; disinfect tools; rotate crops.
Powdery mildewFungusTypically, white spots on upper leaf surfaces expand to flour-like coating over entire leaves; foliage may yellow/die; distortion/stunting of leaves/flowersDestroy infected leaves or plants; choose resistant varieties; plant in full sun, if possible; ensure good air circulation; spray plants with 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 quart water; destroy crop residue.
Squash vine borers (moth & larvae)InsectLarge, wrinkled larvae become orange-red/black, wasp-like, daytime moths; larvae bore into vines; vines wilt suddenly; plants die; mushy area and/or green to orange-yellow, sawdust-like excrement on/near base of plant stemIf detected early, slit infested stem lengthwise halfway to remove borer(s), then bury the cut in moist soil to encourage rooting; wrap seedling stems in aluminum foil collar; catch moths with yellow sticky traps; use row covers if no pests previously, but uncover before flowering; destroy crop residue; rotate crops.

Types

  • ‘Ambrosia’ – 85 days to maturity. Among the sweetest varieties.
  • ‘Athena’ – 70–80 days to maturity. Early variety that produces large, 5- to 6-pound fruits.
  • ‘Hale’s Best Jumbo’ – 80–90 days to maturity. Produces 3-pound aromatic melons.
  • ‘Minnesota Midget’ – 70–80 days to maturity. Early variety well-suited for gardens in colder regions. Produces 1-pound, sweetly flavored melons.
  • ‘Bush Star’ – 90 days to maturity. Bush variety suits gardeners with limited space.

Wit and Wisdom

  • Oddly enough, the melon that is commonly referred to as a “cantaloupe” in North America is not a true cantaloupe, which is more common in Europe. In fact, our “cantaloupes” are a type of muskmelon. (True cantaloupe has a rough, warty rind and is not widely grown or commercially available in the U.S. and Canada.) In North America, the names “muskmelon” and “cantaloupe” are used interchangeably, but we refer to this fruit simply as “cantaloupe” on this page to avoid confusion!
  • Cantaloupe was named for Cantalupo, a former papal villa near Rome.

Fruit

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 03/19/2014 - 17:13

Transplants should have 2 to 3 mature leaves. They need to be in the ground either way, so you have no choice but to carefully move them.

 <span>Sampurna</span> Mon, 11/25/2013 - 12:33
I am interested in growing melons for research purpose. I am not a trained horticulturist,my interests are in plant molecular biology. I am looking for a commercial facility that can grow melons for my lab for seed increase. I am located in Central PA, kindly let me know if you are aware of any facility that commercially grows melon and will be willing to provide their services.
<span>Ms D</span> Sun, 09/22/2013 - 13:01
Hi this my first time growing cantaloupe. I see lots of yellow flower only one cantaloupe and it is the size of a large orange. It came off vine without me plucking it off. It smells really good but what can I do to get it to grow the normal size and more of them next year. Seeds were planted in june.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 09/23/2013 - 17:04

If you got lots of flowers, you may have had pollination issues. Are there enough bees around? Cantaloupe flowers have a pollination window of one day. Pollen must be transferred from the male flower to the female flower on this day for seed set and fruit development. Fruit size and shape are related to the number of seeds set. Poorly pollinated flowers either abort or produce misshapen fruit.  Poor pollination can happen because of weather conditions or lack of pollinators; you can always use a Q-tip and pollinate yourself to help your plants along!

 <span>William Macklin</span> Mon, 05/11/2015 - 20:50
If he/she uses a Q-tip and pollinates him/herself, will they deliver a teeny-weeny cantaloupe person? And if so, what is the germination period? I can take my tongue out of my cheek now. I just couldn't resist. Warped mind, you know.
<span>Jennifer Dumore</span> Sun, 09/15/2013 - 18:36
We have melons that I don't think are ripe yet but there is a risk of frost for the next couple of nights. Will the melon plants be okay with a bit of frost or should I pick them and hope they ripen enough after picking?
<span>Dan Snay</span> Sat, 09/14/2013 - 07:30
I have 3 plants that i started in june . I have had 2 melons that are good size the stem dose not seem to be cracking . I have lots of other melons growing of size. even one that looks like a honey dew melon but the seeds was from a cantalope melon . the 2 big melons been growing and the same size not getting bigger now for over a mounth should i pick them now or let them grow longer and will the other ones grow faster if I pick the ones that seem like there not getting any bigger . I am from nyc . this is my first time growing . I was sick of buying cantalope from the stores that are not ripe . I love cantalope . And 1 other ? it is starting to get cold here in the 50s down to the 40s , how long can the melons grow for in the cold weather and when will i know when they are gonna stop growing and die off or is it to late now for them to keep growing should i pick the 2 I have or let them go . i see the bees on them ever day thank you I hope to hear some thing soon to help me make a decission on to let them go or pick them thank you. Dan from nyc
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Sun, 09/15/2013 - 15:34

If the melons haven't grown for over a month, they probably won't grow any more.  They will continue to ripen for several days at room temperature once they are picked. For faster ripening, put them in a brown paper bag. 
Cantaloupe can be challenging to grow in northern climates because they really need 2 to 3 months of constant heat. The cooler temperatures and the shortening direct daylight mean that the season is coming to a close. Next year, if you want to continue the learning curve, you could use  black ground cover to warm soil and floating row covers to trap warm air near plants. Contact your local cooperative extension in NY county for more on-the-ground advice. We hope these tips get you started in the right direction. All the best, the OFA editors.

 <span>Mlp</span> Wed, 09/04/2013 - 10:13
Thank you for this information. This is the first year I attempted to grow these melons in my Suburban NYC garden. I have 2 melons that are green and around 6 inches around. I wasn't sure when I should pick them.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Sat, 09/07/2013 - 14:46

Harvest your cantaloupe when the stem easily separates from the fruit. To avoid over-ripening, harvest cantaloupes before they naturally separate from the vine. The best way to check maturity of cantaloupes is to place your thumb beside the stem and gently apply pressure to the side. If the stem separates easily, the cantaloupe is ripe.