Do Cantaloupes Keep Producing?

Cantaloupe plants are long-season crops , meaning they'll need 75-80 days of quality warm weather after germination before you can harvest your melons.

How many cantaloupes can you plant per acre?

Planting and Fertilization

Growers generally plant in single rows on plastic mulched beds that are 5 to 6 feet apart, with 24 to 30 inches between plants in the row (around 2,400 and 4,200 plants per acre ).

How many cantaloupes are in a acre?

How long does cantaloupe take to mature?

Cantaloupe plants take around 80 days to mature on average and is the most hardy when grown in zones 4-10 as a summer annual.

How much space does a cantaloupe need?

Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart . Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won't crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates.

How many cantaloupes will one plant yield?

Unlike other varieties, the vines only spread up to three feet. Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons .

What is the best fertilizer for cantaloupes?

Organic fertilizers such as compost and well-rotted manure make excellent fertilizer for cantaloupes. The elements aren't as concentrated in organic fertilizers so you have to use about 1 pound for every 4 or 5 square feet. Compost and aged manure improve the composition of the soil as well as the fertility.

What is the best month to plant cantaloupe?

When planting cantaloupe, wait until the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed in spring . You can either sow seeds directly in the garden or in flats inside (do this well before their initial planting outdoors), or you can use transplants purchased from reputable nurseries or garden centers.

How often do you water a cantaloupe?

Cantaloupes need plenty of water, but not enough to make a soggy garden. Give your crops one to two inches of water per week , watering the soil directly to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting powdery mildew. Once fruit begins to grow, reduce your watering, as dry weather is best for sweeter melons.

Are cantaloupes good for you?

Cantaloupe is a rich food source of vitamins A and C . “Vitamins A and C are both antioxidants that work to keep your body healthy,” Mangieri said. Antioxidants can have protective effects by neutralizing free radicals, which can damage DNA in cells and promote chronic inflammation in the body.

What is the best way to grow cantaloupe?

Plant cantaloupes in full sun in well-drained soil . Cantaloupe plants need about 85 days to mature, but don't rush planting. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50 to 60 degrees F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart.

How long does it take for a cantaloupe to grow after flowering?

Typically a cantaloupe will yield mature fruit 35 to 45 days after blossoming, according to the University of Minnesota, so time your planting to provide those 45 days while the weather is still warm.

How can you tell when a cantaloupe is ready to eat?

A ripe cantaloupe should have a beige webbing pattern . That netting should look like raised ridges. And underneath, the cantaloupe should either be cream-colored, sandy gold, yellow, or tan. If the rind is still green or grey, it's not ripe enough.

Can you grow cantaloupe in a 5 gallon bucket?

Planting Cantaloupe in Pots

Look for a container that holds at least 5 gallons (19 L.) of potting soil . ... You'll also need a location where the cantaloupes are exposed to at least eight hours of bright sunlight per day.

What is the sweetest cantaloupe to plant?

Can you plant watermelon next to cantaloupe?

Watermelons and cantaloupes can grow and produce well in the same spacious garden bed . If the gardener remains conscientious about monitoring for weeds, disease and insect pests, any potential major cultural problems can be avoided or treated.