Melons

Melons

Nothing is more addicting than fresh cantaloupe on a summer day. Tasting warm melon straight from the garden is an experience everyone should have. Before you know it you will have eaten the whole thing! Popular melons include Muskmelon, Crenshaw and Honeydews.

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How to Grow Melons

The Bidwell Casaba is a large uniquely shaped melon. This huge variety can grow to be 12-16 lbs. and measure to be 12-15 in. long and 9 in. wide. The unique Bidwell Casaba has a mildly sweet and delicious orange flesh.

Hale's Best Jumbo cantaloupe is a distinguished heirloom variety known for its exceptional size and sweet, flavorful fruit. Developed in the early 20th century by Hale Brothers Seed Company in the United States, this variety has become a favorite among gardeners for its impressive attributes and reliable performance. The cantaloupe features a rough, netted orange rind and a vibrant, deep orange flesh that is both juicy and aromatic. Renowned for its rich, sweet flavor with a hint of muskiness, Hale's Best Jumbo is ideal for fresh eating and making refreshing summer desserts. The plants typically grow to a sprawling size, covering a large area with their vigorous vines, and they generally require about 80 to 90 days to mature. They produce large, round fruit that can weigh between 4 to 6 pounds each. The plants thrive in warm climates with full sun and well-drained soil, and they benefit from ample space to spread. With its outstanding flavor, substantial size, and ease of growth, Hale's Best Jumbo cantaloupe remains a cherished choice for both home gardeners and melon enthusiasts.

An early maturing Piel de Sapo melon. Has a medium to small size that mature to 3 lbs. This fruit has sweet and aromatic white flesh. A popular treat that is widely grown in Spain. Offers uniformity and good yields. AAS winner.

This early Tuscan-type melon delivers outstanding flavor with the sweetness and aroma expected of a premium Italian selection. Oval fruits average 4–6 pounds and feature pronounced green sutures, a tight seed cavity, and firm, juicy flesh with sugar levels around 15% Brix. Healthy, vigorous plants set fruit in a concentrated window, making succession plantings ideal for extending the harvest season. Best picked at full slip—when the fruit releases easily from the vine—this Eastern shipper type combines excellent eating quality with durability, strong holding ability, and improved resistance to cracking compared to similar varieties. Ready in approximately 72 days, it performs reliably even under challenging growing conditions and offers intermediate resistance to Fusarium wilt (races 0–2) and powdery mildew. Seed is treated with Thiram to increase germination.

The Minnesota Midget is a great little melon for short growing seasons or container gardens! This variety produces an abundance of early ripening mini single serving melons that measure to be 4-6 inches across. This little melon has a deep orange flesh that is succulent, sweet, and delicious down to the rind! Minnesota Midget is the ultimate melon for short-season areas, and the compact plants are ideal for small space or container gardens!

Sugar Rush is an outstanding melon choice for home gardeners, combining strong natural disease resistance with exceptionally sweet, richly flavored fruit. Vigorous, productive vines yield generous harvests of cantaloupes averaging around 4 pounds, each with a small seed cavity and deep orange, juicy flesh that reaches an impressive 15% Brix. In trials, this variety consistently stood out for its balance of sweetness, flavor, and satisfying size—larger than typical personal melons but still easy to handle. Ready to harvest in about 75 days, Sugar Rush delivers reliable performance and premium eating quality, making it a standout option for both backyard gardens and market growers. High disease resistance especially to Powdery Mildew (races 1,2) and Fusarium Wilt (races 0,1,2).

The Hales Best Jumbo Melon is a local market and home grown favorite. This cantaloupe was developed by a Japanese market gardener in California and became widely popular because it combined excellent flavor with earliness. This beautiful oval melon has a deep green skin and golden netting with a very appealing salmon colored flesh. Hales Best Jumbo is an aromatic melon that is truly a sweet treat!

Take one bite and you will be convinced this is the most flavorful melon around! Sarah's Choice consistently wins taste tests here at Urban Farmer. Its flavor combined with its attractive oval fruits and ideal 3-lb. size, make it the best variety for retail sales and home growers. Bred by Dr. Brent Loy of the University of New Hampshire.

Charentais melons are a beloved French variety known for their exceptional sweetness and aromatic flavor. Characterized by their smooth, ribbed, and greenish-yellow skin, these melons typically weigh between 2-4 pounds and have a distinctive orange flesh that is juicy and tender. The flavor is remarkably sweet and fragrant, often described as a blend of peach and cantaloupe, making them a delightful addition to fruit salads, desserts, or simply enjoyed on their own. Originating from the Charente region of France, Charentais melons have been cultivated for centuries and are prized for their high sugar content and rich taste. They are usually harvested in late summer to early fall, around 80-90 days after planting, when they are fully ripe and emit a sweet aroma. These melons thrive in warm, sunny conditions with well-drained soil, making them popular among home gardeners and commercial growers alike. Their delicious flavor and unique characteristics have earned Charentais melons a cherished place in both culinary and gardening circles.

An old classic, this fruit has slightly oval fruits that are ribbed, heavily netted, and average 4lbs. The flesh is deep orange, thick, firm and juicy and has delicious flavor.

Super Nectar is a great mid-season honeydew with excellent quality. Its smooth dense green flesh produces a savory honeydew flavor. The fruit is round to round-oval in shape. The vine is vigorous and adds good cover and protection from sunburn.

The Tuscany Melon is a cantaloupe that has beauty and taste! This melon's flesh is one of the most flavorful muskmelons available. Originating in Italy, the deeply ribbed 3-5 lb. Tuscany has a small seed cavity and fine rind. This variety is very high in vitamin C and vitamin A, making it very nutritious! Tuscany is also a great storing cantaloupe that will keep up to 2 weeks if refrigerated.