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Growing Sungold Casaba Melon in the Vegetable Garden

When planting Sungold Casaba melon, you can direct sowing seeds outdoors or start them indoors and transplant them later. If starting indoors, sow seeds about 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds 0.5 to 1 inch deep in a well-draining seed-starting mix. Melon seeds require warmth to germinate, so maintain a temperature of 70-85 F. If you’re direct sowing outdoors, wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 70 F for proper germination. Once the seedlings are about 3-4 inches tall, thin them so that the strongest plant remains every 2 feet. Before transplanting or direct sowing, harden off your seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Plant the seeds about 24 inches apart in rows spaced 4-6 feet apart to give the sprawling vines plenty of room. Hill planting is also optional.

Melons are heavy feeders, so applying a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting and then side-dressing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once the vines begin to grow is recommended. Watering is critical, especially during the flowering and fruit development stages. Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. To prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew, water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves.

Pinch off the growing tips of the vines when they are about 3-4 feet long to encourage lateral shoots, which will bear more fruit. Companion plants that work well with Sungold Casaba melons include corn, radishes, marigolds, and beans, as they can help deter pests or improve the growing environment. Avoid planting melons near potatoes or cucumbers, as they may attract similar pests or compete for nutrients.

Harvesting Sungold Casaba Melon

You’ll know they’re ripe when the rind turns a golden yellow and the blossom end of the fruit softens slightly. Casaba melons, unlike cantaloupes, do not “slip” off the vine when ripe, so you’ll need to cut the melon from the vine using a sharp knife or pruning shears. Be careful not to damage the vine, as it may continue producing fruit.

About Sungold Casaba Melon Garden Seeds

This melon belongs to the inodorus group of melons, meaning it has a tougher, thicker skin and doesn’t emit as strong a fragrance as other melon types, like cantaloupes.

Casaba melons are said to be from Asian Minor, in modern-day Turkey, where it was cultivated for its ability to withstand heat.

This variety stands out due to its ability to store for weeks to months after harvest without losing flavor or texture. The thick rind protects the fruit from bruising and delays spoilage. Sungold is considered a ‘full-size’ casaba yet ripens earlier than other types.

The name “Casaba” likely originates from the Kasaba region in Turkey, a melon-growing area.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"When hardening-off seedlings for transplanting, do so gradually to reduce transplant shock. Simply expose the plants to outdoor conditions for a few hours a day, gradually increasing the time over a week."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer