John M

The best time to harvest cantaloupe in Texas is when the fruit reaches full slip, usually 75 to 90 days after planting, depending on your region.   In Texas, harvest cantaloupe during the warm months of late spring through midsummer, with peak season running from June to August in most parts of the state.   … Read more

You can harvest cantaloupe from your garden when the fruit slips easily off the vine and the skin turns a creamy beige beneath that rough netting.   That’s the simplest answer, but knowing exactly when to harvest cantaloupe takes a little more observation than just checking the calendar.   Cantaloupe doesn’t ripen much after it’s … Read more

You can direct sow cantaloupe once the soil has warmed to at least 70°F and all danger of frost has passed in your area.   That usually means late spring to early summer, depending on your growing zone.   If you’ve been asking yourself when to direct sow cantaloupe, the short answer is: when the … Read more

You should start cantaloupe seeds indoors about 3 to 4 weeks before your last expected spring frost date.   That timing gives your cantaloupe seeds enough time to germinate and grow into sturdy little transplants without becoming root-bound or leggy.   If you start cantaloupe seeds too early, the vines outgrow their pots and struggle … Read more

You can pick cantaloupe from the vine when the fruit has reached full slip stage, meaning it easily detaches from the stem with a gentle tug.   This is the moment when your cantaloupe is ripe and ready to enjoy at peak flavor and sweetness.   If you’ve been wondering when can you pick cantaloupe … Read more

You know it’s time to pick a cantaloupe when the fruit feels heavy for its size, smells sweet at the stem end, and shows a creamy beige or golden color under the netting.   That’s the short answer, but there’s a lot more to knowing when to pick a cantaloupe so you end up with … Read more