growing cantaloupe in containers

Plant four or five cantaloupe seeds in the center of the pot about two weeks after the last average frost date in your area. Cover the seeds with about an inch (2.5 cm.) of potting soil, then water well. A thin layer of mulch, such as fine bark, will promote moisture retention.

What is the best month to plant cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe prefers warm weather, so don't plant it before temperatures have warmed in the spring. Cantaloupe does best when direct sown. Sow seeds outside about 2 weeks after the last frost date when soil temperatures are about 65℉.

How many cantaloupes do you get from one plant?

Keep melons warm in cold weather and help them stay cool if temps rise above 95°F-100°F. Provide 1-2 inches of water per week until fruit appears, and then scale it back to 1 inch and then 1/2 inch about a week before harvest. Trim to just 2-3 melons per plant for large fruit or not at all for lots of smaller fruits.

How much space does a cantaloupe plant need?

Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won't crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates.

Do cantaloupes need lots of water to grow?

Cantaloupes need plenty of water, but not enough to make a soggy garden. Give your crops one to two inches of water per week, watering the soil directly to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting powdery mildew. Once fruit begins to grow, reduce your watering, as dry weather is best for sweeter melons.

Can cantaloupe be grown vertically?

Growing cantaloupes vertically allows gardeners with even the smallest garden area to enjoy the fruits of their labor. ... It's nearly impossible but it's easy to weed beneath trellised cantaloupes. So don't let the size of a melon patch deter you. Grow trellised cantaloupes and take advantage of that vertical space.

Can you grow cantaloupe from store bought?

Growing cantaloupe from seeds can be a fun and fruitful experiment, so don't throw out the seeds from the one you just bought from the store! Grow them in your garden this growing season for fresh and free cantaloupes!

Can you grow cantaloupe in a 5 gallon bucket?

Planting Cantaloupe in Pots

Look for a container that holds at least 5 gallons of potting soil. ... You'll also need a location where the cantaloupes are exposed to at least eight hours of bright sunlight per day.

What can you not plant with cantaloupe?

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, okra, spinach, sunflowers, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts also flourish in the companionship of melons. Avoid planting melons with potatoes. Marigolds – Adding a splash of brilliant color, marigolds are “great neighbors” to most any vegetable crop, especially melons.

Should I soak cantaloupe seeds before planting?

Seed Watering Notes: Be careful not to overwater germinating seeds or they may rot. It's best to soak the ground or the potting soil heavily when first planting, then avoid watering again if possible until seedlings emerge.

Where does cantaloupe grow best?

Other states that produce cantaloupe commercially in limited volume include Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. In our opinion, of course, the best place to grow cantaloupe is sunny California.

Can watermelon and cantaloupe be planted together?

Watermelons and cantaloupes can grow and produce well in the same spacious garden bed. ... Encourage a chemical-free garden so honeybees and bumblebees pollinate the melon flowers.

Can you trim cantaloupe vines?

As mentioned, pruning cantaloupe plants isn't absolutely necessary and, in fact, the more leaves that remain on the vine the sweeter the fruit. That said, cutting back cantaloupe plants results in fewer fruit which enables the plant to put all of its energy into a scant few, resulting in larger melons.

Is Epsom salt good for cantaloupe?

The cantaloupes will ripen faster and the fruit is protected from insects and rot. For sweeter watermelons and cantaloupes when the plant starts vining and again when small 1-inch melons appear, spray with 6 1/2 tablespoons Epsom salts and 3 1/2 tablespoons borax in 5 gallons of water.

What is the best fertilizer for cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe plants can be fertilized again after the blossoms appear. At this point, you want to use a fertilizer with much less nitrogen than phosphate and potassium. If using a granular type fertilizer, choose a formula such as 5-10-10 or 2-12-12. More potassium and phosphate will help you plants develop fruit.

Why are my cantaloupe plants dying?

Gardeners growing cantaloupe should be on the lookout for vine rot, which can cause the entire plant to suddenly die. This rapid collapse likely is caused by two soil-borne diseases -- Monosporascus cannonballus and Acremonium cucurbitacearum.

Are cantaloupe easy to grow?

Cantaloupes (aka rockmelons, sweet melons, and spanspeks) are an easy growing specialty melon that can be direct sown after all danger of frost, or started indoors 3-4 weeks before setting out. Growing cantaloupe plants occupy a fair bit of space, so be sure to leave enough room for the vines to spread out.

Can you grow cantaloupe on a fence?

The cantaloupe trellis doesn't need to be incredibly fancy as long as it's strong. Wooden fence posts are a sturdy option for holding the weight of the vines and fruit.

How do you grow cantaloupe at home?

Planting Basics

Plant cantaloupes in full sun in well-drained soil. Cantaloupe plants need about 85 days to mature, but don't rush planting. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50 to 60 degrees F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart.

How do you prepare cantaloupe seeds to eat?

Here's how to make a delicious cantaloupe-seed snack.

Cut your ripe cantaloupe in half. Just like you normally would. ...
Get a little messy. A lot of the seeds will still be connected to the flesh, so try to break loose as many of the seeds as you can. ...
Rinse away. ...
Season to perfection. ...
Roast away. ...
Let cool and enjoy.

Can you grow cantaloupe indoors?

Direct sowing is recommended, but to get a head start you can grow cantaloupe indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost in individual biodegradable pots indoors. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot.