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Melons are heat-loving cucurbits that reward patient gardeners with intensely sweet fruit at the height of summer. While they demand warmth and space, they can be grown successfully in many Canadian zones with proper planning. This guide covers muskmelons (including cantaloupe and honeydew) and watermelons — from seed starting to harvest.
Melons are not pantry staples like potatoes or squash, but they are morale boosters. Few crops deliver the satisfaction of harvesting sun-warmed fruit directly from your own garden. They say "summer" to me.
Melons require consistently warm soil (18–21°C minimum) and full sun. In Zones 3–6, start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost. Use black mulch or raised beds to increase soil warmth. Choose short-season varieties where summers are brief.
Allow 2–3 feet between plants and 4–6 feet between rows. Muskmelons can be trellised with support slings for fruit. Watermelons are typically grown on the ground unless small-fruited varieties are used.
Melons produce separate male and female flowers. Bees are essential for pollination. Poor fruit set often results from cool temperatures or low pollinator activity.
Muskmelons: Ripe when the fruit slips easily from the vine and emits a sweet fragrance.
Watermelons: Look for a creamy yellow field spot and a drying tendril near the fruit stem.
A few years ago, a watermelon seed appeared on my gravel path. I didn’t plant it, but it thrived — the moisture and warmth from the gravel helped it produce the largest watermelons I’ve ever harvested. Zone 6 gardeners: don’t underestimate microclimates! I said "thank you" to my backyard critters and even shared seeds with them. :)
I freeze both muskmelons and watermelon for winter fruit salads. Muskmelons keep texture and sweetness nicely; watermelon softens, but works beautifully for smoothies or chopped salads.
| Type | Species | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Cucumis melo | 75–90 days |
| Honeydew | Cucumis melo | 80–95 days |
| Watermelon | Citrullus lanatus | 80–100 days |
