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Growing Delicious 51 Cantaloupe Melon in the Vegetable Garden

To plant Delicious 51 cantaloupe, sow seeds about 0.5 inches deep directly into the soil once the temperature has warmed to at least 65 F and all danger of frost has passed. Cantaloupe prefers warm soil, so it's important to wait until nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 50 F for best germination. In cooler climates, you can start seeds indoors about 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost and then transplant them outside after hardening them off. Before planting, mix well-rotted compost or aged manure into the soil to provide a nutrient-rich environment.

For direct sowing, plant seeds in small mounds, also called hills, spacing the seeds about 24 inches apart. If planting in rows, leave at least 4-6 feet between rows to allow plenty of room for the vines to spread. If transplanting seedlings, place them about 24 inches apart. Growing cantaloupe in raised beds can also work well, but ensure the vines have ample space to spread, either by training them vertically with a trellis or by letting them sprawl across the bed.

During the growing season, apply a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) at the time of planting and again when the vines begin to run. If needed, you can also give them a side dressing of compost or a light application of fertilizer once the fruit begins to set. Be careful not to over-fertilize with nitrogen. Pruning cantaloupes is not necessary, but you can pinch off the growing tips of the main vine once it has developed 4-5 fruit. This encourages the plant to focus on ripening the existing melons (making them sweeter and larger) rather than producing more flowers.

Harvesting Delicious 51 Cantaloupe Melon

The best indicator for ripeness is when the melon slips easily from the vine with gentle pressure. The fruit will often develop a strong, sweet aroma, and the skin will turn from green to a tan, beige color with a well-defined netted pattern. The underside (the blossom end) should give slightly when pressed.

About Delicious 51 Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds

Delicious 51 cantaloupe was bred in the United States to meet the demand for a quick-maturing, flavorful melon that could be grown in regions with shorter growing seasons.

Delicious 51 melons are most commonly used for fresh eating. Their sweet, juicy flesh is perfect for fruit salads, snacks, and smoothies. Their smaller size makes them convenient for households, as they don’t take up too much fridge space and can be consumed without a lot of waste.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"When starting cantaloupe seeds inside ahead of time, it is critical to harden off the seedlings gradually. This means slowly changing the environment of the seedlings to the outside a few hours each day. If you have them in a warm, bright, sheltered place inside and then immediately plant them out in the early spring where it is cool and exposed, many of them will die."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer