Cantaloupe should not be planted until the soil temperature reaches 20°C (70°F) as they thrive in warmth.
Start your seeds indoors a month before the last expected frost in your region. Sow several seeds at a depth of ½ inch in peat pots, and choose the most robust seedling once the plants are well-established. Before transplanting them into the garden, acclimate your plants to outdoor life. Plant them in the garden, spacing them 4 to 5 feet apart on a raised mound of soil. If you live in a colder region, it may be beneficial to provide a black plastic ground cover or mulch to trap heat. Melons will grow best in rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Once flowers and some fruits have developed, pinch off flowers and smaller fruits to direct all energy toward larger fruits for a more fruitful harvest.
As the melon ripens, it will turn golden and become very fragrant; the stem should easily detach. Harvest them when they reach a diameter of about 6 inches.
Melons can be stored for several weeks in a cool place.
