Cantaloupe

Basic Information

Seed Number

91

Seed Name

Cantaloupe

Variety

Jenny Lind

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Heirloom muskmelon (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 20

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 14 – Apr 28

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 20

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

75–85 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-85°F

Planting Depth

1/2-1 in

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

36-72 in

Thin-To Spacing

24-36 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun; 8+ hours/day

Water Needs

1-2 in/week during establishment and fruit set; maintain even moisture while avoiding waterlogged soil

Soil Preference

Warm, rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture

Minimum Container Size

5 gal with trellis or adequate vine space

Plant Height

6-12 in; vines spread about 5-8 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

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

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

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: Direct sow after soil warms or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 25 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 75–100 days
Container Friendly: Possible, 10+ gal; best in ground
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary
Succession / Reusable Notes: Choose short-season varieties in Zone 6B. Later sowing is risky.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs heat, space, and consistent watering.
Companion Plants: Corn, sunflowers, nasturtiums, marigolds, radish, herbs nearby for pollinators
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes, crowded beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Jenny Lind is an early heirloom muskmelon and is well suited to the Zone 6B growing season when planted after warm weather arrives.
Germination: Start indoors 3-4 weeks before planting out or direct sow after frost when soil exceeds 70°F. Germination generally occurs in 5-10 days.
Harvest: Harvest when fruits become aromatic and reach full slip. Jenny Lind produces small, flattened fruits with pale green flesh and a distinctive blossom-end knob.
Seed Saving: Jenny Lind is open-pollinated and crosses with other Cucumis melo varieties. Isolate or hand-pollinate and bag flowers for true seed.
Special Care: Small fruit size makes trellising practical if fruits are supported.
Research Source: Hudson Valley Seed — https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/products/jenny-lind-melon — 80-day maturity, 5-10 day germination, 6-8 foot spread, full sun, depth and spacing
Research Source: True Leaf Market — https://trueleafmarket.com/products/melon-seeds-jenny-lind — 75-85 day maturity, open-pollinated status, heat tolerance and container suitability
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/melon-jenny-lind — minimum 5-gallon container recommendation and seed-saving cross-pollination guidance
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]