Cantaloupe / Melon Seeds

How to Grow: Open pollinated and hybrid melons are ideally suited to Canadian home gardens. Cantaloupe are ripe when the colour lightens and the fruits easily slip off the vine.

Sowing: Select a south facing, wind-sheltered site and direct garden sow 5 seeds 2.5 cm (1”) deep per hill. Space hills 1.5-2 m (4-6’) apart. Thin to 3 to 4 plants per hill. In short season areas, start seeds in peat/paper pots indoors 4 weeks before plant out time. Seeds need a warm soil to germinate properly. Ideally 24°C (75°F) soil temperatures. Do not sow into soil cooler than 21°C(70°F) or germination will be affected.

Transplanting: When the weather has warmed and danger of frost has passed transplant 5- 7.5 cm (2-3 “) apart in rows 1.5-2 m (4-6’) apart. Keep the melon vines evenly watered throughout the growing season. Use floating row covers or mulch to warm the soil will make for better yields.

Harvesting: When the grey-green skin colour starts to turn a buff-yellow and the fruits slip off easily they are ready to enjoy!