Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Jenny Lind
75-85 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This is an old heirloom favorite back by popular demand. The five-foot vines put on flattish 1-3 pound fruits, some with knobs on the blossom end. The lime-green flesh is very sweet and aromatic. This prolific plant matures mid-season and was known in Philadelphia markets before 1840! In 1845, it was renamed after the famous Swedish opera singer, and it was reintroduced to the markets nationwide. ~1,100 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon in the Vegetable Garden
When growing Jenny Lind cantaloupe, start by preparing the soil in a sunny location with well-draining, loamy soil, rich in organic matter. If you’re planning to direct sow, wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 70 F and all danger of frost has passed. Sow the seeds 0.5 inches deep directly into the ground. Space the seeds about 2-3 feet apart if planting in mounds or about 24 inches apart in rows, with 4-6 feet between rows to give the vining plants ample room to spread out. If you're starting the seeds indoors, start them about 4 weeks before the last frost in your area. Once the seedlings are about 3-4 inches tall, harden them off before transplanting them outdoors.
Regular watering is crucial, especially during dry periods and fruit development. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, as wet foliage can lead to fungal diseases like powdery mildew. For fertilization, use a balanced fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to encourage fruiting. Applying a nitrogen-rich fertilizer at the beginning helps the vines thrive, but avoid too much nitrogen later in the season. Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Jenny Lind cantaloupes are good candidates for trellising because of their smaller fruit side. Still, the fruits should be supported with slings made of fabric or netting to prevent the melons from detaching prematurely. Pruning isn’t essential for this melon variety, but some gardeners choose to pinch off the growing tips after a few fruits have set to encourage the plant to direct energy toward ripening the fruit.
Harvesting Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon
The fruits are ready when their skin color changes slightly, they become more aromatic around the blossom end, and the vine attaching them begins to rack or dry. To harvest, gently tug the melon free. If the melon does not come free after a light tug, wait another day or two. The cantaloupe should detach easily when fully ripe. Once harvested, storing them in a cool place and eating them fresh within a few days to enjoy their peak flavor and texture is best.
About Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds
The Jenny Lind cantaloupe dates back to the mid-1800s and was named after Jenny Lind, a famous Swedish opera singer known as the "Swedish Nightingale." She gained immense popularity during her tour of the United States, which coincided with the rise of this melon in seed catalogs.
The melon was bred primarily for its compact size, making it easier to store and transport in an era before refrigeration.
The Jenny Lind was one of the first cantaloupes popularized in America, helping to shape the taste preferences of early American gardeners and consumers.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Jenny Lind melons are primarily used for fresh eating due to their small size and sweet, tender flesh. They’re perfect for slicing into fruit salads, using in desserts, or simply eating fresh out of the garden. Their small size makes them great for single servings, so you won’t need to worry about storing large, leftover melon halves."
 |
- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g - Wholesale - Approximately 100 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,100 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,400 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 17,600 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 88,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 440,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Jenny Lind 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. |
| Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon Color: | Lime green flesh with an orange tint and greyish-tan skin. |
| Jenny Lind Cantaloupe Melon Flavor: | Very sweet, rich, and delicate flavor. It's often described as more perfumed and sweeter than larger cantaloupes. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 75-85 |
| 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: | 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: | This melon is perfect for fresh eating, adding to fruit salads, making smoothies, or just enjoying straight out of the garden. Its small size makes it easy to eat in one sitting. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |