Grown Hale's Best Cantaloupe?

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

Hale's Best Cantaloupe — Melons

85-90days to harvest

5-10days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow when soil reaches 65°F or start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, reduce at ripening
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam, rich in organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Spacing: 3-4 feet
Height: 6-9 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Tan-beige skin with heavy netting, deep orange flesh
Size: 3-5 pounds
Shape: Oval to round with prominent ribbing
Flavour: Intensely sweet and aromatic with classic cantaloupe flavor and smooth, melting texture

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, fruit salads, prosciutto wraps, smoothies, sorbet, preserves

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, thrips
Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, alternaria leaf spot
Resistance: Moderate resistance to powdery mildew, some tolerance to fusarium wilt

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.

BeansFix nitrogen in soil and don't compete heavily for ground space

BasilRepels aphids, thrips, and mosquitoes while potentially improving melon flavor

MarigoldDeters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes that attack melon roots

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids

RadishRepels cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, breaks up soil for melon roots

SunflowerProvides natural trellis support and attracts beneficial pollinators

CornOffers natural windbreak and shade protection during hot afternoons

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Avoid

CucumberCompetes for same nutrients and attracts shared pests like cucumber beetles

PotatoMay stunt melon growth and both crops are susceptible to similar fungal diseases

Aromatic herbs (strong)Strong-scented herbs like sage can inhibit melon germination and growth

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

← PreviousSugar Baby Watermelon Next →Honey Rock Cantaloupe

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 Hale's Best Cantaloupe?

Similar varieties