The cantaloupe, rockmelon, sweet melon, or spanspek is a melon that is a variety of the muskmelon species from the family Cucurbitaceae. Cantaloupes range in weight from 0.5 to 5 kilograms.
According to the American Heart Association, potassium helps keep the right water balance between cells and body fluids. Potassium is also vital to nerve health and proper muscle contraction. Eating a potassium-rich snack like cantaloupe after exercise helps replenish depleted electrolytes.
| Native To: | Middle East, Europe | Maintenance: |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 4-11 | Soil Type: |
| Season: | Spring, summer, fall (depending on region) | Soil pH: |
| Exposure: | Full sun | Soil Drainage: |
| Time to Maturity: | 65-90 days | Companion Planting: |
Seeds harvested from our Unique Creek Homestead gardens on August 11th, 2020
Organic Cantaloupe Melon Seeds
Plant cantaloupe in an area with warm soil (70°F+) and plenty of sun. Cantaloupes are sprawlers, so plant them 36 to 42 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Growing cantaloupes require a lot of nutrients, so it's best to improve your soil by mixing in several inches of compost or other rich organic matter.
Planting Cantaloupe Seeds Outdoors
Sow the seeds at a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch and 1 foot apart in rows spaced 5 feet apart to accommodate the vines' mature spread. Keep the soil evenly moist but not sopping wet and watch for sprouts in a week or two if soil temperatures stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do cantaloupe plants climb?
Reduce chances for pests and disease
Once fruits have formed, raise them up off the ground with melon cradles or pots; this increases air circulation and helps with rot and insects. Grow cantaloupe vertically; they love to climb.