Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Minnesota Midget
65-70 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo var. reticulatus. Minnesota Midget Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Fusarium Wilt (Race 0). The Minnesota Midget variety of cantaloupe is a small melon with a sweet taste. These miniature melons have flesh in a light golden shade, similar to a classic cantaloupe. The vine produces melons that reach maturity in sixty-five to seventy days. This variety does best when grown in the summer in an area with full sun, in zones three to nine, and it thrives in rich, sandy soil. ~1,000 seeds/oz.
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Growing Minnesota Midget Melon in the Vegetable Garden
To prepare the soil, loosen it with a pitchfork rather than turning it over. This will help the soil structure stay intact but be loose enough for ideal planting conditions. These vines need lots of sunlight, space, and water. Be sure the soil is rich and sandy, with a pH level between 6 and 7. Seeds can be sown indoors and later transplanted after between two and four weeks. They also can be planted directly outdoors. When spacing the seedlings, put them 24 inches apart or 2-3 plants per hill. Have four to six feet between the rows. As the vines grow, pinch-off blossoms and smaller melons grow to redirect the plant's energy to the most successful fruits. Water the vine in the soil so as not to over-dampen the leaves. 1-2 inches of water each week should be sufficient.
Melons are heavy feeders, so a balanced fertilizer is crucial for vigorous growth. When planting, use a high-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage strong root development. Once the plants are established and begin to vine, switch to a higher potassium and nitrogen fertilizer to promote lush growth and fruiting. You can feed with a liquid seaweed or compost tea every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season for a nutrient boost.
Harvesting Minnesota Midget Melon
The melons will turn slightly golden when they are ready for harvest, and they should also be pulled off of the vine fairly easily. This will occur around 65-85 days after the seeds are started.
About Minnesota Midget Melon Garden Seeds
The Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe was developed in Minnesota specifically for regions with short growing seasons. It was bred to mature quickly and provide gardeners in northern climates with a reliable melon that could ripen before the cold weather set in.
Unlike standard cantaloupes, which can take up large amounts of space in the garden, Minnesota Midget was bred to be space-efficient, making it ideal for small gardens, containers, and even balcony growing.
The fruits are small, typically around 4 inches in diameter, making them perfect for individual servings.
The Minnesota Midget is a small, sweet melon that can be enjoyed directly off the vine, sliced into fruit salads, blended into smoothies, or served as a refreshing dessert. Their juicy, aromatic flesh makes them a favorite in any summer meal. While they can be used in savory dishes or desserts, they’re best enjoyed fresh to capture the full sweetness.
Despite being smaller, the vines produce a large number of melons, giving you plenty of sweet, personal-sized fruits throughout the season. Additionally, this variety is easy to grow, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
Tips From Our Gardeners
" As a Michigan-Native gardener, I appreciate fruits I can harvest in a shorter growing season. Most cantaloupes need more time to grow than my garden can provide. Minnesota Midget is a fantastic choice for smaller, northern gardens."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Minnesota Midget Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 5 g - Wholesale - Approximately 175 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 Minnesota Midget Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo var. reticulatus |
| 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. |
| Minnesota Midget Melon Color: | Brown husk, orange flesh. |
| Minnesota Midget Melon Flavor: | Sweet, with a hint of honey. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 65-70 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 inches in a row or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 4-6 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 Width: | 36-48 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest around 50-75 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-95 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Fusarium Wilt (Race 0). 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, Container |
| Melon Use: | Fresh consumption- enjoy it straight from the vine, in fruit salads, smoothies, or as a dessert. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |