Grown Cantaloupe Hales Best?

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Cantaloupe Hales Best — Melons

85-90days to harvest

4-10days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Easy to Moderatedifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after soil reaches 65°F, or start indoors 2-4 weeks before last frost. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in hills.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic content
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Spacing: 36-48 inches
Height: 6-9 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Heavily netted beige skin with salmon-orange flesh
Size: 4-5 inches diameter, 2-3 lbs
Shape: Round with pronounced netting
Flavour: Very sweet and aromatic with thick, juicy flesh

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, fruit salads, desserts, breakfast dishes

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Cucumber beetles, aphids, thrips, squash bugs
Diseases: Bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, alternaria leaf spot
Resistance: Good tolerance to powdery mildew and downy mildew

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	May – June	July	July – August	October – September
3	May	June – July	June – August	September – October
4	April – May	June	June – July	September – October
5	April	May – June	May – July	September – October
6	April	May – June	May – July	August – October
7	March – April	May	May – June	August – September
8	March	April – May	April – June	July – September
9	February	March – April	March – May	June – August
10	January – February	March	March – April	June – July
11	January	February	February – March	May – June
12	January	February	February – March	May – June
13	January	February	February – March	May – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, thrips, and flies while potentially enhancing melon flavor

MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and cucumber beetles that commonly attack melons

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, draws pests away from melons

RadishesBreaks up soil for better root growth and deters cucumber beetles

CornProvides beneficial shade and wind protection without competing for nutrients

BeansFixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture

OreganoRepels aphids and provides general pest deterrent properties

SunflowersAttracts beneficial pollinators essential for melon fruit development

Avoid

CucumberCompetes for same nutrients and space, shares common diseases and pests

Aromatic herbs (strong)Strong scents from mint or sage can inhibit melon growth and development

FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants including melons

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 34
Protein (g): 0.84
Fat (g): 0.19
Carbohydrate (g): 8.16
Fibre (g): 0.9
Sugars (g): 7.86
Vitamin A (µg): 169
Vitamin C (mg): 36.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.05
Vitamin K (µg): 2.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.072
Folate (µg): 21
Calcium (mg): 9
Iron (mg): 0.21
Magnesium (mg): 12
Phosphorus (mg): 15
Potassium (mg): 267
Zinc (mg): 0.18
Selenium (µg): 0.4

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the melons growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Cantaloupe Hales Best?

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