

For earlier fruit, start seeds indoors 3 weeks prior to transplanting. Melons grown from transplants can be harvested as much as four weeks earlier than melons grown directly from seed. Full sun requires direct light at least 6 hours/day prefers 8 - 10 hours/day. Planting: Direct sow the seeds in a sunny, well-drained area when all danger of frost is past and the soil is warm.Frost will injure top growth needs warm weather to grow. Hardiness: Very tender warm-season annual.These tips on growing cantaloupes in your garden were originally published on March 18, 2015. Cut it from the stem and move it to a cool place for storage.Ĭantaloupe is great for fruit salads and appetizers, so why not try growing your own? Give these tips a try and you are sure to enjoy a successful crop. You will notice a sweet smell and soft feel when the cantaloupe is ready to be picked.

Cantaloupe seedlings full size#
This will help it mature quickly and taste great! After about two weeks the bulb will be full size and can be picked.

When you notice the bulb appear, you can wrap it in a pantyhose to protect it and place it on a piece of tin foil to help keep it warm. Be sure you pull them as you see them so you can stay on top of their growth and they don’t interfere with your plants. You don’t want weeds to get out of control as they will get mixed up with the vines of the plant. Drip irrigation is a wonderful option for cantaloupe and can help them safely get the water they need.īe vigilant about weeds during the early growth of the cantaloupe. If water is allowed to accumulate on the greenery, rot can occur. As far as bugs, however, there usually isn’t a need for a pesticide.Ĭontinue to give your cantaloupe seedlings 1-2 inches of water per week, applied at the base and not over the top of the plant. You may just need to keep a light netting over them if you see animals starting to pick at them. The wonderful thing about cantaloupe is they don’t attract many pests. This is also the ideal time to use a plant or garden food on your cantaloupe, however, they will do fine without the feeding if you wish to skip this step. Stakes can also help you see weeds better amongst the vines and remove them as needed. Don’t plant your seedlings before outdoor temperatures have reached a consistent 70 degrees or higher.Īfter a few weeks, you may wish to stake your plants to help offer them support and keep them from sitting in damp soil. You should still use all of the suggestions above when planting, including nutrient-rich soil, full sun, and proper spacing between plants. If you wish to plant cantaloupe seedlings instead of seeds, you may notice quicker results. Remove the weaker and smaller plants in the group to allow the larger ones to stretch and thrive. Once your seedlings start to appear, you will want to thin out the plants. Cantaloupe will thrive off of the nutrients, and the warm soil and sun will help them mature quicker. Whichever way you choose, your seeds should be planted one 12-18 inches apart so there is plenty of room to stretch.Īs with other melon varieties, you want really rich soil and full sun. You can use the hill method where a hill of soil is created and 5-6 seeds are dropped in, or you can plant as you would most other seeds. Should you wish to plant the seeds directly outdoors, be sure the threat of frost has passed since cantaloupe loves warm soil. Use nutrient-rich soil and make sure the seeds have at least 6 hours of sun per day. You want to do this about 3 weeks before the final frost of the season. If you wish to begin your seeds indoors and get a jump on the growing season, simply plant the cantaloupe seeds in seed starters.

Cantaloupe seedlings how to#
You might be surprised at how easy it really is! How to Grow Cantaloupe If you are considering growing cantaloupe this year, take a look below at these tips for how to grow cantaloupe yourself. Follow these tips on how to grow cantaloupe to start cantaloupe from seed or seedling and care for them until harvest.ĭo you love the sweet taste of cantaloupe? If so, why not try growing it yourself? Having fresh cantaloupe at your fingertips is a great way to enjoy the summer and a great way to save some money as well.
