Cantaloupe / Melon Seeds

How to Grow: Open pollinated and hybrid melons are ideally suited to Canadian home gardens. Cantaloupe are ripe when the colour lightens and the fruits easily slip off the vine.

Sowing: Select a south facing, wind-sheltered site and direct garden sow 5 seeds 2.5 cm (1”) deep per hill. Space hills 1.5-2 m (4-6’) apart. Thin to 3 to 4 plants per hill. In short season areas, start seeds in peat/paper pots indoors 4 weeks before plant out time. Seeds need a warm soil to germinate properly. Ideally 24°C (75°F) soil temperatures. Do not sow into soil cooler than 21°C(70°F) or germination will be affected.

Transplanting: When the weather has warmed and danger of frost has passed transplant 5- 7.5 cm (2-3 “) apart in rows 1.5-2 m (4-6’) apart. Keep the melon vines evenly watered throughout the growing season. Use floating row covers or mulch to warm the soil will make for better yields.

Harvesting: When the grey-green skin colour starts to turn a buff-yellow and the fruits slip off easily they are ready to enjoy!

SCOUT IPPM

OSC Seeds recommends using SCOUT IPPM to evaluate pests and pollinator populations in your cucurbit crops. Developed in partnership with the University of Guelph and Pollinator Partnership Canada, the SCOUT IPPM app uses scientific data and government guidelines to set action recommendations for growers. Free download is available on App Store and Google Play.