Cantaloupe

Basic Information

Seed Number

158

Seed Name

Cantaloupe

Variety

Unknown

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Muskmelon/cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 14

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 14 – Apr 28

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

3 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

5–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70°F+

Planting Depth

1/2-1 in

Plant Spacing

18-36 in

Row Spacing

5-6 ft

Thin-To Spacing

18-36 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain consistent moisture during vine growth, flowering and fruit set; reduce irrigation as fruit approaches ripeness

Soil Preference

Warm, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Minimum Container Size

15–20+ gal with room/support

Plant Height

Trailing vine

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Iowa State Extension; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors 3–4 weeks early or direct sow after soil warms
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Variety unknown; commonly about 80–100 days
Container Friendly: Possible, 15–20+ gal with room/support
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; bees are important for fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary fruit
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: Usually one main planting in Zone 6B because melons need a long warm season.
Zone 6B Notes: Use conservative timing because the variety is unknown; do not assume it is an early melon.
Companion Plants: Dill, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, beans
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Exact maturity cannot be known without the variety. Watch cucumber beetles and mildew; avoid cold, wet soil and keep watering consistent.
Sources: Iowa State Extension: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-cantaloupe-muskmelon-and-other-melons-home-garden | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors only a few weeks before transplanting or direct sow after frost once soil is thoroughly warm. Because the cultivar is unknown, plant early enough to accommodate a potentially longer-season melon.
Germination: Warm soil is essential for muskmelon germination. Avoid root disturbance when transplanting.
Harvest: Ripeness indicators vary by cultivar, but many cantaloupes become fragrant and separate readily from the stem at full slip.
Seed Saving: Cucumis melo varieties cross with other muskmelons and cantaloupes. Because the cultivar is unknown, saved seed cannot be expected to reproduce a known commercial variety.
Special Care: Cultivar-specific germination, maturity, fruit size, mature vine size and container suitability cannot be determined safely from 'Unknown' and are therefore not assigned.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/fruit-and-vegetable-farming/growing-melons — species-level muskmelon warm-season culture, transplanting, warm soil, irrigation and harvest principles
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]