Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF

Growing Golden Delicious Cantaloupe Melon in the Vegetable Garden

Seeds should be sown about 0.5 inches deep. This depth ensures that the seeds are covered but still close enough to the surface to receive adequate warmth for germination. Golden Delicious Cantaloupe seeds are best directly sown outdoors when the soil has warmed to at least 65 F, as they are sensitive to cold. In regions with shorter growing seasons, you can start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost and then wait an additional week after the last frost date before planting outside. Ensure any risk of frost has passed before transplanting or direct sowing.

If starting indoors, sow seeds at the same depth in seed-starting trays and transplant them into the garden after 2-3 true leaves have developed when outdoor conditions are favorable. Space seeds or transplants 24 inches apart in rows that are spaced 4 to 6 feet apart (or 2-3 per hill). This spacing gives the sprawling vines ample room to grow and spread. ​​Before planting or transplanting, enrich the garden soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer.

Melons need consistent moisture, especially as they begin to fruit. Reduce watering as the fruit begins to ripen to avoid splitting. Once the vines start growing, use a high-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage flowering and fruiting. Pinch off the growing tips of the vines once they reach 5–6 feet to encourage lateral growth, which increases the number of fruits produced. Prevent the developing fruit from coming into direct contact with the soil to prevent rot. Cardboard or thick mulch can help.

Harvesting Golden Delicious Cantaloupe Melon

You’ll know the fruit is ready to harvest when the rind turns from green to a golden-yellow hue and the netting on the surface becomes more pronounced. The melon should also easily slip from the vine when lightly pulled. To harvest, gently lift the melon and twist it off the vine. If the melon does not come off easily, it may need more time to ripen.

About Golden Delicious Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds

Good companion plants for cantaloupe include corn, beans, and nasturtiums. These plants can help with pest control or provide shade. Avoid planting cantaloupe near potatoes as they may inhibit growth.

The Golden Delicious Cantaloupe is notable for its rich, musky flavor and fragrant aroma. It produces consistent, high-quality fruit ripening at around 6 inches in diameter. It is prized for its early and abundant harvest.

Gardeners enjoy growing Golden Delicious Cantaloupe because it is easy to cultivate, produces deliciously sweet fruit, and offers a reliable yield with proper care.

This variety is primarily grown for fresh eating, whether as a standalone snack or as an ingredient in fruit dishes. Its sweet and aromatic flavor makes it a favorite for summer picnics and gatherings.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"To avoid fungal diseases, use drip irrigation or carefully water at the base of the plants to prevent the leaves from getting wet."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer