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Back to Index		Cantaloupes and Melons Okay, is it a Melon, a Cantaloupe or a muskmelon? Fact of the matter is, people call them by all three names. Does it really matter? We don't think so. Any fruit that tastes this good and is served at Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snack time ,can be called anything you want to call it. A cousin of the watermelon, Cantaloupe have a sweet, musky taste, and are mouth watering delicious. Already popular in the home garden, it continues to gain in popularity. "Bush type" varieties, requiring less space, are the most popular. Bush varieties are not really a bush. Rather, they grow on a shorter, more compact vine. We group other melons in this category. This includes the Honeydew and Crenshaw varieties. When preparing a bowl of melons, two or thee varieties are often used together. The color combination of orange Cantaloupes with a green Honeydew is aesthetically pleasing. Food that looks good, tastes even better. Varieties: Cantaloupe and Musk Melons- There are several varieties, including early and bush types. Honeydew- This is a sweet, light tasting melon. The flesh is lime green to light green in color. Crenshaw- Another, less common melon with a peach colored fruit and a yellow skin. Planting: Common wisdom recommends melons be planted in "hills" or groups. However, this is not a requirement. If you are growing large quantities, it may not be practical. When planting in hills, sow four to six seeds per hill and space the hills four to six feet apart. Sow 1/2 to 1 inch deep. After germination, thin and keep the three or four healthiest plants. Row spacing should be five to six feet. The more compact "bush" types may tolerate closer spacing. If you choose not to hill, sow seeds three to four inches apart. Seedlings can be started indoors. We recommend using peat pellets to help to minimize transplant shock. Days to Maturity: Approximately 75 to 90 days, with most varieties on the higher end. While they take a while to grow, it's worth the wait. Insects and Pests: Melon plants are a favorite food of a variety of insect pests. Among the most common pests are the cucumber beetle and the squash vine borer. Occasionally, other pests will invade the melon patch. Common insecticides such as Sevin are very effective. Treatment before the emergence of insects is recommended. Mice and moles also enjoy melons. Many a grower has seen their melon turn to mush just before it is picked. Close inspection often reveals a mole tunnel leading under the fruit. Placing a board under the fruit is one means of deterrence. Pest control is another. Disease: Melon plants are very susceptible to powdery mildew and other fungus diseases. Early treatment with fungicide is effective. If not caught early, the entire patch can be affected. Harvesting: Determining when a melon is ripe is a bit of an art form. As a general rule, a melon is ripe when the stem begins to dry out. The end of the melon is soft when pressed with your thumb. A melon is over ripe when it is soft all over. Melons can be picked just prior to ripening. Commercial growers pick them just before they are ripe, as they ship better and keep longer. Once harvested, it will only last about a week un-refrigerated. Melons will keep for weeks in your refrigerator. Hardiness: Melons do not like cold and frost. Plant outdoors after the last frost date for your area. If the plants still have fruit in the fall, be prepared to cover the plants on frosty nights.