Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF

Growing Organic Charentais Melon in the Vegetable Garden

Charentais melon seeds should be sown 0.5 inches deep. If you are directly sowing the seeds into your garden, waiting until all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed to at least 70 F is essential. These melons prefer warm soil, so if you live in a cooler climate, you may want to start the seeds indoors and transplant them after they’ve grown. If you start your seeds indoors, harden off the seedlings before transplanting them into the garden.

For direct sowing, space the seeds about 24 inches apart in rows spaced 6 feet apart, as the vines will need plenty of room to spread. You can also opt for hill planting, which involves sowing 3-4 seeds per hill, spaced about 3 feet apart, with 5-6 feet between each hill. Once the seedlings have emerged and are a few inches tall, thin them out to the strongest seedling per hill. If growing in containers, use one that can hold at least 5 gallons of soil.

Charentais melons are heavy feeders and require rich, well-drained soil. Before planting, amend the soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. When the plants start to vine, give them a balanced organic fertilizer like compost tea to promote healthy growth. Avoid excess nitrogen, which can result in lush foliage but fewer fruits.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, aiming for about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Use a drip irrigation system or water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. If grown vertically, training the vines along trellises or supports can improve air circulation and make harvesting easier. In areas with few pollinators, you may need to hand-pollinate your melon flowers to ensure fruit set.

Harvesting Charentais Melon

You’ll know the melons are ready when they emit a strong, sweet fragrance, the rind color changes from green to golden-yellow, the tendril closest to the fruit begins to die back, and the fruit easily slips off the vine with a gentle tug. To harvest, simply twist or snip the melon from the vine. Avoid pulling or yanking the fruit off. Handle with care.

About Charentais Organic Melon Garden Seeds

An heirloom variety dating back to France in the 1920s, this Charentais melon was bred in the Poitou-Charentes region. Originally developed for the French market, this melon was bred for its exceptional flavor and small size.

Mother Earth News says, "Among many delicious melons that are too fragile to ship, the French cantaloupes are at the top of my list. Perfectly sized for a half-melon serving, the French Charentais types have thick, firm, orange flesh and a small seed cavity."

In her book Melons for the Passionate Grower, Amy Goldman writes, “It is a refined cantaloupe… free of the blemishes and warts of its ancestors."

These organic seeds were grown and harvested from organically grown plants and have never been exposed to pesticides, herbicides, or similar chemicals not approved for organic gardening.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"A study conducted in 2009 suggests that organically grown melons contain higher levels of certain nutrients, such as vitamin C and total antioxidants, compared to conventionally grown melons. More research needs to be done for us to know for sure, but that’s pretty compelling on top of everything else to grow organically!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer