110-130days to harvest
8-12days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Difficultdifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow in warm soil (75°F+) or start indoors 4 weeks before transplanting. Requires long, hot growing season.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1.5-2 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil
Deep, well-drained fertile loam with excellent drainage
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
Spacing
48-60 inches
Height
6-9 feet
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Golden-yellow rind with salmon-pink to orange flesh
Size
5-9 pounds
Shape
Large, oval to teardrop-shaped with smooth rind
Flavour
Exceptionally sweet with spicy, floral notes and creamy, melting texture

In the kitchen

Premium fresh eating, elegant fruit platters, sorbets, high-end restaurant desserts

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Aphids, cucumber beetles, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Powdery mildew, downy mildew, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt
Resistance
Limited disease resistance, susceptible to most common melon diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
3MayJune – JulyJune – AugustNovember – October
4April – MayJuneJune – JulyOctober
5AprilMay – JuneMay – JulyOctober
6AprilMay – JuneMay – JulyOctober – November
7March – AprilMayMay – JuneSeptember – November
8MarchApril – MayApril – JuneSeptember – October
9FebruaryMarch – AprilMarch – MayAugust – September
10January – FebruaryMarchMarch – AprilJuly – September
11JanuaryFebruaryFebruary – MarchJune – August
12JanuaryFebruaryFebruary – MarchJune – August
13JanuaryFebruaryFebruary – MarchJune – August

Companion planting

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

BasilRepels aphids, thrips, and flies while potentially improving melon flavor
MarigoldsDeter nematodes, aphids, and cucumber beetles that attack melons
NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for cucumber beetles and aphids, protecting melons
RadishesRepel cucumber beetles and squash bugs, harvest before melons spread
SunflowersProvide beneficial habitat for pollinators and natural pest predators
Bush BeansFix nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding melons
OreganoRepels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles with strong aromatic oils
CornProvides natural windbreak and vertical structure without competing for ground space

Avoid

CucumberAttracts same pests like cucumber beetles and competes for similar nutrients
FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants
Aromatic Herbs (Sage)Strong essential oils can inhibit melon seed germination and growth

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
30
Protein (g)
0.61
Fat (g)
0.15
Carbohydrate (g)
7.55
Fibre (g)
0.4
Sugars (g)
6.2
Vitamin A (µg)
28
Vitamin C (mg)
8.1
Vitamin E (mg)
0.05
Vitamin K (µg)
0.1
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.045
Folate (µg)
3
Calcium (mg)
7
Iron (mg)
0.24
Magnesium (mg)
10
Phosphorus (mg)
11
Potassium (mg)
112
Zinc (mg)
0.1
Selenium (µg)
0.4

Where to buy seed and equipment

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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.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Crenshaw Melon?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Similar varieties

Other melons with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Crenshaw Melon suits these too.

Browse all 38 melons