How to Grow Cantaloupe

A warm-season fruiting for the home garden across the warmer US.

Cantaloupe is a rewarding warm-season crop for backyard growers.

When to plant

Plant Cantaloupe in spring once the soil has warmed and all frost has passed. In the warmest regions a second crop is possible in late summer. See your region on the cantaloupe page for exact timing.

Varieties

Ambrosia, Very sweet, disease-tolerant (Park Seed)
Hale's Best Jumbo, Heat-tolerant heirloom (Baker Creek)

How to grow it

Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
Spacing: about 100 cm (39 in) between plants.
Sowing: sow about 2 cm deep.
Water: roughly 10 L per plant every 3 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

Watch for Cucumber beetle. In humid regions, Powdery mildew can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Cantaloupe is usually ready to harvest in about 3 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant cantaloupe where you garden.

See what to plant this month

Pick your region for a month-by-month calendar tuned to your climate.

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