Melon Seeds - Honeydew - Earli-Dew Hybrid
80 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Earli Dew Hybrid Honeydew Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, heat tolerant, Honeydew Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Fusarium wilt. As one of our earliest maturing Honeydew varieties, Earli-Dew is a favorite in northern climates. Many professionals including Utah State University Extension and the Master Gardeners of Greene County (Missouri) recommend this variety for it’s short days to maturity, delicious taste, and high fungal disease resistance. The melons are 6-8 inches round and weigh around 7 pounds. The vines produce plentiful fruits with smooth skin and sweet green flesh. ~1,060 seeds/oz.
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Growing Earli Dew Hybrid Honeydew Melon in the Vegetable Garden
To plant Earlidew melons, start by selecting a sunny location with well-drained soil. If you're planting outdoors, wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 70 F, which typically happens after the last frost date in your area. Direct sowing is ideal for warmer climates or after the risk of frost has passed. Sow seeds about 0.5 inch deep, with a spacing of 24 inches between plants and 4-6 feet between rows to allow for the sprawling vines. If starting indoors, sow seeds 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Be sure to harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week or two before transplanting.
Fertilize your melon plants with a balanced fertilizer, but be cautious not to overdo nitrogen, as it can lead to lush vine growth at the expense of fruit production. Use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer for better fruit development. Keep the plants well watered as they are not drought tolerant. However, avoid getting water on the leaves regularly as this can lead to fungal issues (even with resistant varieties).
You can train the vines on trellises or supports, but be sure to provide a net or sling to support the heavy fruit. Pruning is generally not necessary, but you can pinch off the tips of the vines once a few fruits have set to encourage the plant to focus energy on ripening the melons rather than producing more foliage or flowers.
Harvesting Earli-Dew Hybrid Honeydew Melon
The melons are ready to harvest when they turn from a greenish color to a much for creamy white pale green. The melon's surface should feel slightly waxy, and the fruit should detach easily from the vine with a gentle tug. To harvest, gently cut or twist the fruit off the vine, being careful not to damage the vine or surrounding plants. Use a sharp knife or pruners if the fruit does not come off easily. Store harvested melons in a cool, dry place or refrigerate them if you plan to store them for more than a few days.
About EarliDew Hybrid Honeydew Melon Garden Seeds
This melon was specifically bred to thrive in hot, sunny conditions while providing a delicious, sweet taste that rivals other honeydews. Its early maturity means you get melons faster, making it a favorite for gardeners who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor earlier in the season or in shorter growing seasons.
Earlidew melons are rich in vitamin C, which supports immune health, and contain good amounts of vitamin A for skin and eye health. They are low in calories and high in hydration.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"EarliDew is perfect for gardeners with long growing seasons who want to pair it with another, late maturing variety so they have can fresh melon all summer long. It is also ideal ideal for gardens in colder climates with shorter growing seasons. It can produce a fruit in less than 3 months while other honeydew melons take 3-5 months."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Non-GMO EarliDew Hybrid Honeydew Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo |
| Melon Type: | Honeydew - Honeydew is a melon with a smooth rind and flesh that has a higher water content than cantaloupe. The sweet flesh is most commonly green but can also be yellow-orange or very pale with a green or yellow tone. Honeydew lacks the musky odor of Cantaloupe. |
| EarliDew Hybrid Honeydew Melon Color: | Light green flesh and pale creamy green skin. |
| EarliDew Hybrid Honeydew Melon Flavor: | sweet, slightly floral, and refreshing |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 80 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 inches in a row or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 6 Feet |
| Plant Height: | 12-15 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Bush, 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: | Resistant to Fusarium Wilt 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: | Earlidew melons are primarily used for fresh eating. Their sweet, succulent flesh makes them perfect for summer fruit salads, smoothies, and desserts. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |