Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF

Growing Marvelous Hybrid Crenshaw Melon in the Vegetable Garden

Crenshaw melons can be directly sown outdoors in zones 7-11 but must be started indoors 2-4 weeks ahead of time in zones 6 and below. Zones 3 and below may not have enough growing days to produce ripe melons even when seedlings are started indoors beforehand. If starting indoors, plant the seeds about 0.5 inches deep in small pots or seed trays, ensuring the pots have good drainage. If you plan to sow outdoors directly, sow the seeds in the garden after the last frost, also at 0.5 inches deep, in groups of 2-3 seeds per hill, spacing hills about 4-6 feet apart. When the seedlings reach a few inches tall, thin them to 1-2 of the strongest plants per hill.

For raised beds or garden plots, maintain a 24-36 inches spacing between plants to give the vines plenty of room to spread. Rows should be 4-6 feet apart to accommodate their vigorous growth. If you have limited space, you can grow these melons vertically using a trellis, which promotes air circulation and prevents the fruit from sitting on wet soil, reducing disease risks.

Hardening off the seedlings is crucial if you start them indoors. About a week before transplanting outdoors, gradually expose the young plants to outdoor conditions. This process helps prevent transplant shock. Once the plants are in the ground, they need regular watering, especially during fruit development. Water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring that the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Use mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Marvelous Hybrid Crenshaw melons are heavy feeders. Incorporate a balanced fertilizer or compost into the soil before planting. Once the vines begin to spread and set fruit, side-dress with a fertilizer high in potassium and phosphorus (e.g., a 5-10-10 or similar ratio) to encourage healthy fruit growth.

Harvesting Marvelous Hybrid Crenshaw Melon

Knowing exactly when to harvest can be tricky because these melons don’t easily slip off the vine like cantaloupes. Instead, watch for signs that the melon is ripening, such as a slight change in the rind color to a more yellowish hue and a waxy, smooth texture developing on the skin. The fruit should have a faint, sweet aroma and feel heavier than it looks. To harvest, use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the melon from the vine, leaving about an inch of stem attached.

About Marvelous Hybrid Crenshaw Melon Garden Seeds

The "Hybrid" designation refers to its hybrid status, which gives it advantages like disease resistance and a more reliable crop in various conditions.

Be gentle when handling the fruit to avoid bruising, and store it in a cool, dry place after picking. Melons can continue to ripen slightly off the vine, but they taste best when harvested at peak ripeness.

The flesh is aromatic, sweet, and subtly spicy with a smooth, fine texture.Crenshaw melons, including Marvelous Hybrid, are vining plants and usually need more space than most containers allow. However, a very large container (at least 18-24 inches in diameter) could work if you provide a trellis or grow them vertically.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Marvelous Hybrid Crenshaw Melons are relatively large, weighing 8-10 pounds, making them ideal for serving at gatherings or sharing with family. The plant’s high yields also make it rewarding to grow, with several large melons produced per plant in good conditions."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer