Cantaloupe: How and Where to Grow

Cantaloupe, or muskmelon or rockmelon, is a juicy and sweet summer fruit humans have enjoyed for centuries. It can be eaten fresh and is popular in desserts and drinks worldwide. 

It’s believed that cantaloupes first originated in ancient Persia, around 1000 BCE. From there, the melon spread to India, Egypt, and Europe. By 1400 CE, cantaloupes had become popular across Europe and were cultivated in monasteries throughout Italy. Today, they are still a favorite fruit worldwide and are sold both in grocery stores and supermarkets.

Let’s explore everything about this delicious melon and why you should include it on your grocery list.

How Many Varieties of Cantaloupe are There? 

When it comes to cantaloupes, there is no shortage of variety. Nearly 1,000 different types of melons fall under the Cucumis melo species — known more generally as melons or cantaloupes. 

These varieties range in shape, size, color, and sweetness, so you will find something that suits your taste buds. The most well-known types include honeydew, casaba, Crenshaw, and muskmelon (or cantaloupe). Depending on the climate, these cantaloupes can be harvested in late summer/early autumn.

Some other popular varieties are:

• Galia, a sweet and juicy variety with greenish-yellow skin.
• Sharlyn, which has bright orange flesh and a slightly rough exterior.
• Charentais, which is small but incredibly sweet.
• Ha’ Ogen, which has thick rinds and greenish-yellow flesh. 

Additionally, there’s the Early Russian melon which can usually be found growing around June-July in cooler climates — this type has tough skin but boasts an intense flavor.

How Should You Choose the Right Variety of Cantaloupe? 

When it comes to grocery shopping, especially at a farmers market, you’ll often find wide varieties of cantaloupe. Many may wonder which is the best and how to choose the suitable type. 

For starters, you should look for freshness. Your cantaloupe should have a nice yellow-orange color with a faint aroma of sweetness. If there’s no scent, it’s probably not ripe yet.

Once you’ve found an ideal melon for ripeness, it’s time to consider the flavor. Some varieties of cantaloupe have a sweeter, honey-like taste, while others offer a more subtle flavor and texture. To determine which one you prefer, try cutting open a few different types and tasting them.

Recommended Varieties of Cantaloupe to Grow

If you want to add some delicious cantaloupe to your summertime meals, why not try growing your own? You can have fresh, homegrown melons for weeks with a suitable variety and a little effort. Here are some of the best types of cantaloupes to grow in home gardens so you can choose one that’s perfect for your needs.

Ambrosia

This popular variety of cantaloupe is known for its sweet flavor and juicy texture. It was first developed by researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, in the mid-1990s. It has since become one of the most widely grown varieties of melon worldwide.

These melons are round and slightly oval, with pale greenish-yellow skin and bright orange-red flesh. The fruit also tends to have a faint smell of honey when ripe, making it an incredibly fragrant addition to any dish. 

Ambrosia cantaloupes take approximately 85 days to reach maturity and thrive best in warm climates with plenty of sun exposure. They can also be grown in containers or even hanging baskets.

Athena

This variety has an attractive orange-yellow skin, with a deep orange flesh that is succulent and sweet. Athena melons are slightly oval-shaped and tend to grow larger than other varieties, reaching up to 5 pounds when fully ripe.

Athena cantaloupes thrive best in warm climates with long growing seasons of 95 days or more. When grown in ideal conditions, these melons can be harvested in mid to late summer, thus making them one of the last summer crops available before fall.

Hale’s Best Jumbo

Hale’s Best Jumbo is a classic cantaloupe variety that dates back to the early 1900s. It is one of the most widely-grown varieties, with a smooth yellow-orange rind and sweet orange flesh. 

This melon is slightly oval and can grow up to 5-7 pounds when fully ripe, thus making it an excellent choice for those looking for large fruits.

Hale’s Best Jumbo cantaloupes take 90 days or more to mature and thrive best in warm conditions with plenty of sun exposure. They should be planted in well-drained, consistently moist soil (especially when first sprouting) before being watered only occasionally as needed.

How to Grow Your Cantaloupe

Growing your cantaloupe is easy with access to plenty of sunshine. The best way to do it is by planting seeds outside after all danger of frost has passed in late spring or early summer. 

Plant your seeds about 1/2 inch deep into lightly fertilized soil that drains well. Heavy clay soils should be avoided as this will inhibit the development of roots necessary for growth. Once planted, water your seeds thoroughly and keep them evenly moist until sprouts appear within 10-14 days; then water only occasionally as needed.

Once your plants are mature enough (about 3-4 weeks), it’s time to harvest. Cantaloupes typically ripen in mid-summer and turn yellowish-orange when ripe. To test for ripeness, gently press against the stem end. If it gives slightly beneath your fingers, it’s ready to be picked. If it easily smashes or feels overly soft, it’s likely overripe. 

You can also hold the melon next to your ear and shake it gently; if you hear a rattle inside, it’s ready.

How to Select a Suitable Location for Your Cantaloupe Patch

When planning to plant your patch of cantaloupes, there are several things you should consider. The first is location: cantaloupes need a sunny spot in the garden with plenty of space for their vines to spread out and grow. 

Make sure that any area you choose has well-draining soil that isn’t too compact or heavy. Additionally, if you’re planting your patch near other crops, ensure none are prone to diseases that could spread to yours — such as squash vine borer, powdery mildew, and cucumber beetles. 

Which Soil Should You Grow Your Cantaloupe in? 

As for the soil for growing your cantaloupe, you want a light, well-draining loam or sandy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Loamy soils are ideal for cantaloupes since they drain quickly but retain the necessary moisture and nutrients for the melons to thrive. 

If your soil drains too quickly, mix in some organic matter, such as aged compost, to help retain more moisture. Additionally, ensure your soil is high in nitrogen and other micronutrients that will help promote healthy growth. You can achieve this by adding fertilizer or working in some aged manure before planting. 

What’s the Ideal Temperature Range to Grow Cantaloupe?

The ideal temperature range for cantaloupes is between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit; during hot weather, provide adequate shade and mulch around the root area to protect them from heat and conserve moisture in the soil. 

Keeping weeds down ensures they don’t compete with your plants for water and nutrients. Hoeing or mulching can help maintain weed control without damaging your cantaloupes’ roots.

Finally, practice proper watering and fertilization habits throughout the growing season to ensure your plants produce many delicious melons. With patience and effort, you’ll soon have a bountiful harvest of sweet cantaloupes ready for eating.

Can you Grow Cantaloupe in Pots?

Yes, it is possible to grow cantaloupes in pots. This is an excellent option if you have limited outdoor space or live in an area with a shorter growing season. When selecting a pot for growing, opt for one at least 18 inches deep with plenty of drainage holes. This will help ensure good root development and healthy growth. 

Be sure to fill the pot with high-quality soil that is light and well-draining, and add some compost or fertilizer to enrich it before planting. Additionally, make sure your pot receives 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If your spot doesn’t get enough sun, consider supplementing with some grow lights.

When transplanting seedlings into the pot, plant them deep enough to cover the stem and roots. This will help promote better root development over time. Once planted, water your melon plants regularly but be careful not to over-saturate them, as this can result in fungal diseases or rot. 

It’s also important to fertilize your melons throughout their growth cycle, providing them with all the nutrients they need for healthy growth.

Are Cantaloupes Susceptible to Pests and Plant Diseases? 

Yes, cantaloupes can be susceptible to various pests and plant diseases. Common pests that feed on cantaloupe plants include aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and armyworms. 

These pests can be prevented by using floating row covers or insecticides when needed. It’s also important to keep the garden area free of weeds and debris, which could serve as harborage sites for pest infestations.

Common diseases that affect cantaloupes include Alternaria leaf spot, cucumber mosaic virus, downy mildew, and powdery mildew. These can easily spread among plants if not treated quickly, so removing any affected leaves or fruits is essential. 

Fungicides can also be used to control outbreaks, but proper sanitation is the best way to prevent disease from occurring in the first place. Ensure your garden tools are always sanitized and newly purchased plants are well inspected before introducing them. These measures will go a long way in keeping your cantaloupe crop healthy.

Proper watering practices can also help protect against plant diseases since wet foliage encourages fungal growth. Aim to water (either through rain or irrigation) at the base of each melon plant so that no water droplets get onto the leaves — this will help reduce the risk of infection while still providing adequate moisture for healthy growth. 

Additionally, mulch around each plant with organic matter such as hay or grass clippings will go a long way in helping conserve moisture during dry spells, so make sure you do this regularly throughout the growing season.

When Should You Harvest Your Cantaloupe?

Once your cantaloupes have reached their full size, it’s time to start thinking about harvesting them. As mentioned above, the best way to determine when your melons are ripe is by gently pressing on the stem end with your fingers.

 If it gives slightly and feels soft, it’s ready for picking. You can also check the underside of the melon for its color — if it has turned a deep yellow-orange hue, then you know it’s ripe and ready for picking.

Another way to tell if a cantaloupe is ripe is to smell its blossom end. You should be able to smell a sweet, fruity aroma when they’re mature. If there isn’t any discernible scent, it’s not quite ready yet. Furthermore, you can also monitor the tendrils near the melon’s stem. These will turn brown once the fruit reaches maturity.

In addition to paying attention to these visual and olfactory cues, you can gently pick up each cantaloupe and thump it lightly with your knuckles. A dull sound indicates ripeness, while a sharp sound indicates it needs more time on the vine. 

Furthermore, look at the appearance of the netting on each cantaloupe. If it has become prominent or raised (which signals an increase in sugar content), then that also indicates that the melon has reached its peak ripeness.

When harvesting your cantaloupe patch, make sure that you use sharp pruning scissors or garden shears to avoid damaging any part of the fruit. Also, remember that cantaloupe doesn’t continue ripening once picked from its vine, so make sure they’re perfectly ripe before harvesting. 

All these factors will help ensure that your homegrown melons remain sweet and delicious after being harvested and stored correctly.

How Should You Store Your Cantaloupe? 

Once your cantaloupe has been harvested, storing the melons properly is vital to retain their quality. Ideally, you should store them at a temperature of 45-50°F and relative humidity of 85-90%. This will help keep them from spoiling too quickly. 

The best way to achieve this is by keeping the melons inside a refrigerator or a cool, dark place like a basement; ensure they are kept away from direct sunlight. If you plan on storing the cantaloupes for an extended period (over two weeks), then it’s advised that you wrap each melon in newspaper and place it in a ventilated container. 

Suppose you don’t have access to a refrigerator or other cool environment. In that case, another option is to wrap each cantaloupe individually with plastic film before storing them in a dark corner of your home. However, this method isn’t ideal as it will cause condensation on the surface of the fruit, which could lead to rotting if left unchecked. 

Additionally, if you have enough space in your yard or garden area and weather permits, consider burying some melons in soil with just their leaves above ground. This is known as hill-planting and can effectively keep your produce fresh for much longer.

When it comes time to eat your homegrown cantaloupes, be sure they are at room temperature and that any condensation has been wiped away so as not to attract pests or bacteria. And if you’ve stored your melons for too long, ensure to scrutinize them before eating. Additionally, look out for moldy spots or discoloration, which might indicate spoilage.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Attasit saentep/Shutterstock.com