How to Grow Melon

Intermediate

Cucumis melo

A warm-season vine producing aromatic, sweet fruit. Cantaloupes and honeydew are both Cucumis melo. Needs warm soil, consistent moisture, and good pollination for proper fruit set.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
70–90 days
typical
Per Square Foot
half
Plant Spacing
60 cm / 24"
Sun
8+ hours
Water
1.5" / 38 mm
Fertilization
heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost. Transplant after soil reaches 21 °C. Harvest cantaloupe at full slip; honeydew when rind turns creamy yellow.

Varieties & Cultivars

9 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

1920s heirloom cantaloupe

(1)
Hale's Best Jumbo
80–90 days Open-Pollinated

heavily netted; deep salmon flesh; very sweet and aromatic

Height
12–71" (30–180 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
4.0 lb (1800 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
5–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
5 years

1933 AAS winner cantaloupe

(1)
Honey Rock
80–85 days Open-Pollinated

coarsely netted grey-green rind; deep salmon flesh; very sweet; compact 90-120cm vines; good for small gardens

Height
12–47" (30–120 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.6 lb (1200 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
5 years

Classic American cantaloupe

(1)
OrangeGlo
80–90 days Open-Pollinated

sweet netted rind; good size; reliable garden variety

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 oz (30 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
5 years

Classic green-fleshed melon

(1)
Honey Dew
85–100 days Open-Pollinated

smooth pale green rind; large size; summer favourite

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.8 oz (50 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
5 years

Compact 90 cm vines

(1)
Minnesota Midget
65–75 days Open-Pollinated

ideal for SFG and containers; sweet orange flesh

Height
12–35" (30–90 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 lb (500 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–11
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
5 years

Early honeydew

(1)
Earlidew
80–90 days Hybrid

sweet green flesh; 1–2 kg fruit; good for shorter seasons

Height
12–79" (30–200 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
4.0 lb (1800 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
5–11
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
5 years

Early hybrid cantaloupe

(1)
Sarah's Choice
72–76 days Hybrid

well-netted rind; sweet orange flesh; excellent for short-season northern gardens; good fusarium tolerance

Height
12–71" (30–180 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.6 lb (1200 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–11
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
5 years

Galia-type melon

(1)
Kenzy
70–80 days Open-Pollinated

bright green flesh; sweet musky flavour; thin rind; early maturing

Height
18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.9 oz (25 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
4–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
5 years

Hybrid cantaloupe

(1)
Ambrosia
80–86 days Hybrid

exceptionally sweet juicy salmon flesh; small seed cavity

Height
12–79" (30–200 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
5.1 lb (2300 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
5–11
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
5 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside melon, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Corn : Corn provides windbreak and partial shade; melon vines spread underneath
Radish : Radishes mature before melon vines need the space; may deter cucumber beetles
Beans : Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding melon vines use
Lettuce : Lettuce matures before melon vines spread and benefits from partial shade
Sunflower : Sunflowers attract pollinators essential for melon fruit set

Keep Apart

Potato : Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases; compete for soil nutrients

Square Foot Spacing

½ per sq ft

View full spacing chart →

Ready to grow melon?

Plan your garden with exact spacing and zone-specific planting dates. An AI companion helps with the rest.

Start Planning Free →