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Growing Sungold Casaba Melon in the Organic Vegetable Garden

When planting Sungold Casaba melon, you can direct sow 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.

Use organic compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil before planting. This improves soil fertility and structure without relying on synthetic fertilizers. Instead of synthetic fertilizers, use organic fertilizers like compost tea, fish emulsion, or organic granular fertilizers. Be cautious to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer sources. 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.

Row covers can be used early in the season to protect young plants from pests while still allowing light and moisture through. 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. Practice companion planting to naturally deter pests. For example, planting radishes or nasturtiums nearby can help repel aphids and cucumber beetles.

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

Sungold is considered a ‘full-size’ casaba yet ripens earlier than other types.

These organic seeds were harvested from melons grown in an organic-compliant farm. They were grown and harvested without the used of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Crop rotation is one of the more important factors in garden planning that is so often overlooked. Practice crop rotation by not planting melons in the same area year after year to reduce disease buildup and nutrient depletion in the soil."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer