"Cucumis melo: Successful melon production is often a jewel in a gardener's crown. Raising melons to maturity in southern areas can be almost as easy as raising radishes. Not so for northern gardeners, as summers can be too cool for many varieties to perform well. Over the years, we have trialed hundreds of varieties and offer you early-maturing melons with the best flavor.

CULTURE: Melons can be direct sown in warmer regions, but in most of the country, they will yield a better crop if started indoors about 3 weeks prior to your last frost. We recommend planting in raised beds covered with green, silver, or black plastic mulch. This method produces better yields; see Watermelon for more information.
FOR TRANSPLANTS: Fill 3 to 4 inch individual pots with a sterile seedling mix. Plant 2-3 seeds 1/2 inch deep per pot. Germination is in 3-10 days when the soil temperature is 70-85°F. Thin the pots to the best single plant after the seedlings are well established. Grow the seedlings under dry, warm conditions until they develop at least 1 true leaf. At this point, transfer to cold frame if you have one. Fertilize seedlings with a fertilizer such as 2-1-1 Earth Juice Grow. Transplant into the garden just before the plant becomes root bound and the soil temperature is at least 60°F. It will love 95°F. Space transplants 3-4 feet apart in rows 5-6 feet apart. Apply 1/2 cup of our complete fertilizer dug in well around each plant.
TO DIRECT SOW: Soil temperature must be above 65°F for decent germination. Like most vine crops, melon seed requires even moisture levels to prevent rotting. The soil should be moist to the touch. Space and fertilize as you would transplants.
DISEASES: Select disease resistant varieties. Bacterial wilt and powdery mildew are common problems. Many diseases can be eliminated or reduced by not overhead watering.
INSECTS/PESTS: Control insects, especially cucumber beetles, with Rotenone, Rotenone-Pyrethrin, or a floating row cover.
HARVEST: Cantaloupe will easily slip from the vine when ripe. With other melons, check the leaf where the fruit is attached to the vine. The fruit is mature when this leaf begins to yellow. Melons should be picked in the cool of the day and chilled quickly to 35°F. Store at 35°F and 95% relative humidity. Melons will not ripen off the vine.
SEED SPECS: Minimum germination standard: 80%. Usual seed life: 3 years. Days to maturity are from date of transplanting. Add 10-15 days if direct seeding. Approximately 25-40 seeds per gram; 28 grams per ounce.

Sampler: 1 gram
Packet: 7 grams
Unless otherwise noted.

Key to Melon Disease Resistance
DM...Downy Mildew, Races 1, 2, 3
F...Fusarium Wilt, Races 0, 1, 2
PM...Powdery Mildew, Races 1, 2"