How to Grow Cantaloupe Seeds

A cantaloupe growing in the garden.

Cantaloupe, or muskmelon, is a heat-loving vegetable that is native to India and available in several varieties, according to the University of Illinois. Growing cantaloupe seeds in your home garden will provide you with a fresh crop of juicy cantaloupe in about three months. Plant cantaloupe seeds dated for the same season and wait until all chance of frost has passed for best results. The soil temperature must be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for germination to take place.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Rake
• Hoe
• Rototiller
• Compost
• Well-rotted manure
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Clear an area that provides full-sun, wind protection and well-drained soil. Remove all foliage, rocks, branches or other debris.

2. Use hand tools or a rototiller to mix in 2 to 3 inches of compost and well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. Work the soil to a depth of 12 inches.

3. Saturate the planting area with water. Sow cantaloupe seeds 1 inch deep every 18- to 24-inches. Space the rows 5 to 6 feet apart.

4. Water as needed to maintain moist soil until the seedlings appear in two or three weeks. Ensure the plants receive an inch of water weekly thereafter.

5. Apply a balanced fertilizer, as directed on the label, throughout the growing season of the cantaloupes.

6. Remove weeds from around the plants as they emerge.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Muskmelon
• North Carolina State University: Muskmelons (Cantaloupes)

Resources

• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Cantaloupe Production
• USA Gardener: Melons and Watermelons