How to Plant Cantelope

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is the sweet tasting orange melons that can be served for all meals and snacks. Cantaloupe is a low calorie fruit that is rich in vitamins A and C. Although cantaloupe is a fruit, it is grown in the vegetable garden. Plant cantaloupe in your garden and enjoy the taste and benefits of this fruit all summer. Cantaloupe is commonly planted in hills or mounds but row planting is an option.

Things You'll Need

• Cantaloupe seeds
• Prepared garden area space
• Hand shovel
• Gloves

Instructions

Instructions

1. 

   Select a sunny location in the vegetable garden. Cantaloupes need full sun. Make hills or mounds of dirt that are approximately 1 foot high and 2 feet in diameter by pushing the dirt together to make a mound with a rake, hoe or shovel. Space the hills approximately 4 to 6 feet apart, depending on space available. Level the top of the mound as much as possible.

2. Plant four to six seeds per mound after any danger of frost has passed. Evenly space the seeds around the top of the mound from 1/2 to 1 inch deep. If planting in rows, plant the seeds approximately 3 inches apart along the top of the row. Rows should be at least 4 feet apart.

3. Keep the ground moist. Water at least every 3 days if rain has not fallen. Test the ground by pushing one finger into the soil about 3/4 inch around the plant. If it is dry, water well. Cantaloupe needs a lot of water to grow a juicy, sweet tasting fruit.

4. Keep all weeds and grasses out of the garden area by pulling them by hand as soon as they are noticed in the garden. Cantaloupe plants will make vines. Keep the vines from overlapping each other by moving them closer to the middle of the main area of the plant.

5. Fertilize regularly with a garden safe fertilizer. Follow all manufacturer's directions for fertilization so as to not burn the plant.

6. Apply organic fungicide according to manufacturer directions for beetles and borers. These are small bugs that will eat the plant, killing it.

7. Pick ripe cantaloupe after maturity. Cantaloupe is ripe or mature after 75 to 95 days. The stem from the vine to the melon will be dried out or the bottom of the cantaloupe will be soft when pressed with a finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Throw mothballs throughout the garden to keep gophers and moles out.

References

• Cantaloupe Basics