Cucumis melo
Botanical Name
Cucumis melo
Hardiness
Annual
Height
12 to 18 inches
Width
3 to 12 feet
Fruit
Orange, green, yellow, white and pink fleshed varieties in a number of different sizes, shapes, and textures
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained, fertile, warm
Planting and Care
Direct seed after last frost and soil has warmed to at least 70F. Plant seeds .5 inch deep, 6 seeds per hill - thin to 2 or 3 plants. Space hills 4 to 6 feet apart; or 1 foot apart in rows 5 feet apart. Trellis plants for closer spacing and support fruit with slings.
Harvesting
Pick melons when the fruit stem starts to separate from the fruit. Wait for the crack to appear all around the stem for a fully ripe, great tasting melon.
Problems
Cucumber beetles, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, cucumber mosaic virus, aphids, squash vine borer, squash bugs, powdery mildew
Varieties to Consider
'Honey Brew' - honeydew type, good disease resistance
'Harper Hybrid' - muskmelon; good disease resistance
'Casaba Golden Beauty' - white flesh, spicy sweet
'Harper Hybrid' - muskmelon; good disease resistance
'Casaba Golden Beauty' - white flesh, spicy sweet