These cantaloupe are delicious. We didn’t know how good cantaloupe could taste until we grew one ourselves. Did you know that most grocery store cantaloupe are under-ripe? Melons can’t ripen once the they are removed from the vine. Unfortunately, once the melon is fully ripe it has a short shelf life. So grocery store melons are often underwhelming compared to their fully ripened counter parts! This is one we grow every year, but be sure to protect your melons from your dogs or any small mammals. Ours often get stolen just before peak ripeness because once the melon ripens, you can smell it from several feet away!
Planting/Harvesting Notes
- Plant once all chance of frost has passed in direct sun
- Vines can be planted on a trellis for saving space.
- Space 3-5 feet apart from other vines
- Expect 2-4 melons per vine.
- Approximately 80-85 days to harvest
- Seeds can be saved when cutting open the melon to eat.
How do I know if my cantaloupe is ripe?
Cantaloupe won’t ripen off the vine so it’s important to know when your melon is ripe. The best way to tell if a cantaloupe is ripe is by smell and by sight. The melon will smell very sweet even from several feet away and the color under the netting will change from green to orange.
