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Growing Tuscany Cantaloupe Melon in the Vegetable Garden

You can directly sow seeds outdoors after the last frost has passed and soil temperatures consistently reach around 65-75 F. This melon variety thrives in warm soil, so it’s important to wait for optimal conditions. These melons are heavy feeders, so adding compost or a balanced fertilizer before planting is recommended. Sow seeds at a depth of about 0.5 inch deep in well-drained, loose soil. Space the seeds or seedlings about 24 inches in a row or 2-3 plants per hill. Rows that are spaced 4 to 6 feet apart. This wide spacing is important to give the sprawling vines room to grow without overcrowding, which can lead to poor air circulation and increased risk of disease.

Tuscany melons need consistent watering, especially during the early stages of growth and when the fruit is developing. After the vines start growing, you can apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage vine growth. Once the plants start flowering, switch to phosphorus and potassium-heavy fertilizer to support fruit development. Regular side-dressing with compost or an organic fertilizer throughout the season will keep the plants well-fed.

Pinch off any unnecessary side shoots or weak vines that are not producing fruit. Additionally, if you're growing in a smaller space or vertically on a trellis, you can train the vines to climb, which helps save space and keeps the fruit off the ground. If you’re growing the melons on a trellis, provide support for the fruits with slings made of fabric or netting to prevent the fruit from falling or damaging the vines due to their weight. Adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the developing fruits clean as they grow.

Harvesting Tuscany Cantaloupe Melon

You’ll know it’s time to harvest when the fruit begins to emit a strong, sweet aroma and the skin under the netting turns slightly yellow. Additionally, the fruit will easily slip off the vine with gentle pressure. To harvest, gently twist the fruit until it naturally detaches from the vine. If it resists, it may need a few more days to ripen.

About Tuscany Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds

The Tuscany Italian Cantaloupe Melon is an heirloom variety from the Tuscan region of Italy. The warm Mediterranean climate of this area, with its long summers and fertile soil, provides ideal growing conditions for this melon. Traditionally grown in Italian gardens for generations, this cantaloupe has become synonymous with high-quality, gourmet melons known for their sweetness and flavor.

When fully ripe, it gives off a heady, sweet fragrance that can fill the air around it. Its orange flesh is not only sweet but also extremely juicy and velvety.

After harvesting, Tuscany Italian Cantaloupe Melons can be stored for about 5 to 7 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 10-14.

The orange flesh indicates a high level of beta-carotene, which is important for maintaining healthy eyesight among other things.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"The shorter growing season required for this melon mixed with its decently large size and intensely sweet flavor is almost confusing for me. The Tuscany Cantaloupe is truly one of a kind. Gardners with warm, short growing seasons will do well to grow this outstanding melon!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer