Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. These include smooth-skinned varieties such as honeydew, Crenshaw, and casaba, and different netted cultivars (cantaloupe, Persian melon, and Santa Claus or Christmas melon) as well as many Asian varieties.

These melons are diverse in color, smell, texture, and flavor.

All these melons need lots of space. As vines, they can be grown as a sprawling plant, or as a climbing vine that if elevated, will still support its fruits, even when they are rather large. Full to part sun is preferred with amended garden soil, even, regular moisture, and its always a good idea to mulch the roots with a nice, coarse mulch to shade the roots. You can plant them in spring as soon as frost is over (directly seeding, or starting in a protected spot before threat of frost is over) or you can plant during the early part of the monsoon season for a fall crop.

The origin of muskmelons is not known. Research has revealed that seeds and rootstocks were among the goods traded along the caravan routes of the Ancient World. Some botanists consider muskmelons native to the Levant and Egypt, while others place their origin in India or Central Asia. Still others support an African origin, and in modern times wild muskmelons can still be found in some African countries.

These melons are diverse in color, smell, texture, and flavor.

All these melons need lots of space. As vines, they can be grown as a sprawling plant, or as a climbing vine that if elevated, will still support its fruits, even when they are rather large. Full to part sun is preferred with amended garden soil, even, regular moisture, and its always a good idea to mulch the roots with a nice, coarse mulch to shade the roots. You can plant them in spring as soon as frost is over (directly seeding, or starting in a protected spot before threat of frost is over) or you can plant during the early part of the monsoon season for a fall crop.

Crop rotation considerations: avoid following cucumber, pumpkin, squash, or other cucurbits. This is a great corn companion and can be used as a squash in the three sisters garden. Do not plant with potatoes.

Telling when a melon is ready to pick can be a challenge. Here are a few things to use as clues for ripeness: when the tendril nearest to the fruit turns from green to brown, the underside of the melon (where it sits on the ground) is yellow, and when you tap lightly, you hear a low-pitched thunk instead of a high-pitched ping.

Musky Melons

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