Spacing between cantaloupe plants should be at least 18 inches. If you’re planting cantaloupe from seed with limited garden space, train the vines to climb a trellis. It’s best to plant cantaloupe in mounds or hilled rows, so water drains away from the main stem. Cover your planting area with dark-colored mulch or black plastic for several days ahead of time to warm the soil before transplanting. Transplant the seedlings a week or two after the last frost date for your region. Gradually acclimatizing the plants, both cantaloupe and muskmelon, to the elements reduces the risk of transplant shock. Once daytime temperatures are consistently warmer than 65℉, begin hardening off your cantaloupe seedlings by leaving them outside in a sheltered spot for progressively longer periods. If you don’t have a south-facing window available, use a grow light to prevent them from becoming elongated or “leggy.” When to Plant Cantaloupe Outdoors Once the seedlings sprout, move them to a sunny windowsill with six or more hours of bright light daily. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 75-85℉. Use a heat mat to maintain consistent warmth. Cantaloupe seeds typically germinate in three to nine days. Plant the cantaloupe seeds one inch deep, then loosely cover them with potting soil.Ĭover the tray with a humidity dome, damp paper towel, or plastic wrap to retain moisture. The stages of growing cantaloupe start with filling peat pots or a seedling tray with seed-starting potting mix and lightly saturating the soil. Or, sow seeds outdoors a week or two after the last danger of frost passes and the soil temperature is above 60℉. The best time to plant cantaloupe seeds indoors is about six weeks before your expected last frost date. Here are some of the best cantaloupe cultivars for home gardeners.Īlthough it’s possible to sow cantaloupe seeds directly in the ground, most growers in northern climates start seeds indoors in early spring. Cantaloupe plants have shallow root systems and suffer when competing with weeds for water and nutrients. Use mulch to minimize weed growth, retain moisture, and insulate your garden soil. Cantaloupe plants require eight to ten hours of direct sunlight daily, similar to when you grow pumpkins from seed or different varieties of squash. Select a planting site with full sun, well-draining soil rich in nutrients, and wind protection. In regions with chilly spring conditions, use floating row covers or a cold frame to insulate your frost-tender plants until warmer weather arrives. The plants grow considerably slower when temperatures are below 60☏. The ideal temperature range for growing cantaloupe vine fruit plants is between 75-95☏. Note that honeydew melons and cantaloupe are not the same thing but they do require similar growing conditions and care. They’re in the Cucurbit plant family, along with cucumbers, honeydew melons, squash, and watermelon. cantalupensis is the botanical name for cantaloupe. Read on to discover how to plant cantaloupe seeds in your region.Ĭantaloupe is a type of muskmelon that likely originated in southern Asia and northern Africa. Over the years, growers of different cantaloupe types have come up with numerous useful tricks for cultivating cantaloupe in cooler climates. If you’ve never tried planting cantaloupe seeds because you’re worried that they won’t grow well in your climate, think again. Solving Common Pest and Disease Problems What to Know about Growing Cantaloupe from Seed.Harvest and Storage Strategies for Homegrown Cantaloupe. How to Grow Cantaloupe from Seed in Pots.Best Soil and Fertilizer for Cantaloupe.What to Know about Growing Cantaloupe from Seed.
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