Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Hearts of Gold
80-90 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Blight. Also known as “Hoodoo,” the Hearts of Gold cantaloupe is a fantastic choice for midwestern gardeners. The sweet, deep orange flesh is incredibly aromatic and firm. The seed cavity is small, leaving more room for fruit! The round melons mature at 5-6 inches in diameter and 3-5 pounds. The husk is heavily netted with medium ribs. The plant is quite vigorous and very productive. A good choice for short-distance shipping. ~1,000 seeds/oz.
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Growing Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon in the Vegetable Garden
The soil should be well-draining, sandy, and rich in organic matter. Ideally, the pH should be between 6.0 and 6.5. If you’re planting outdoors, direct sow seeds after the last frost when the soil has warmed to at least 65 F. Seeds should be sown 0.5 inches deep and spaced about 24 inches apart to give vines room to spread. For rows, space them at least 4-6 feet apart. If you're growing in containers, use a large pot (5 gallons or more) with a sturdy trellis to support the vines. If you're starting seeds indoors, sow them in biodegradable pots 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost. After germination, the seedlings will need to be hardened off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting.
Water the plants deeply and regularly, especially during fruit development, aiming for about 1-2 inches of water per week. Avoid watering the foliage directly to prevent disease, focusing instead on the base of the plant. Mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. As the vines grow, they may benefit from light pruning to remove non-fruit-bearing vines, which can redirect energy to fruit production.
Apply a balanced fertilizer (5-10-10) at planting, then side-dress with compost or fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus once flowering begins. Ensure that your plants are getting full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day. Companion plants that benefit cantaloupe include corn, beans, and marigolds. Avoid planting near potatoes or cucumbers. Optionally, Use a sturdy trellis and gently train the vines upward. This helps with airflow, prevents the fruit from resting on the soil, and saves space.
Harvesting Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon
Cantaloupes are ready to harvest when they easily "slip" (detach) from the vine with gentle pressure. You’ll also notice the rind turning from green to tan, and the netted skin will become more pronounced. The melon will emit a sweet, fruity aroma at the stem end, which is a strong indicator of ripeness. To harvest, gently twist the melon until it separates from the vine, or use garden shears to cut it off. Be careful not to damage the vine, as cantaloupe plants can produce multiple fruits over the season. Once harvested, enjoy the melon immediately for peak flavor, or store it in the fridge.
About Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds
Hearts of Gold was first developed by a farmer named Roland Morrill in Michigan in 1890. It became popular for its flavor, productivity, and hardiness.
Hearts of Gold is primarily grown for its fresh eating qualities. It is an excellent choice for anyone who loves sweet, juicy melons.
Melons are low in calories, rich in fiber, and contain antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation.
This variety was bred for sweet flavor and hady growth.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Being from Michigan, I always enjoy learning about melons with ties to my home state. Hearts of Gold is a great cantaloupe variety for anyone in Michigan or the surrounding states. I still recommend starting the seeds indoors about a month before your last frost date."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g - Wholesale - Approximately 100 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 16,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo |
| Melon Type: | Cantaloupe - Cantaloupe is a muskmelon with a scaly or 'netted' outer rind, and sweet flesh that is most commonly orange, but can also be yellow or green. The flavor can only be described as 'cantaloupe', while the odor is slightly musky. |
| Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon Color: | Tan exterior and bright orange interior. |
| Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Melon Flavor: | Sweet, rich, musky flavor, known for being one of the best-flavored cantaloupe varieties. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 80-90 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 inches in row or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 6 Feet |
| Plant Height: | 12-15 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Sprawled, Trailing Vine |
| Soil Preference: | Melons prefer warm, well-draining but moist, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-90 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Melons may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Wait to transplant them outdoors until at least 1 week after your last frost date as melons grow best with warm soil. Avoid leaving them in seed starting containers for long as melons are sensitive to transplanting. Harden off to reduce the effects of transplant shock. |
| Melon Pollination: | Melons require insects, such as bees, for successful pollination. As monoecious plants they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that not every flower will develop into fruit. We recommend growing an assortment of flowers near or throughout your garden to attract pollinators. |
| Plant Spread: | 48-72 inches |
| Plant Width: | 48-72 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 80-95 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-95 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to blight. Generally, melons are commonly susceptible to pest damage by aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, cutworms, white flies, and melon worms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Melons are also susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, and Fusarium Wilt, Anthracnose, and Bacterial Wilt. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Melon Use: | Fresh eating, fruit salad, smoothies, desserts, etc. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |