Hale’s Best Jumbo Cantaloupe is one of the most popular open-pollinated melons! Developed by in 1924 by I. D. Hale, this award-winning plant yields 3-5 pound lightly ribbed melons with small cavities & great sweet flavor! Prepare into fresh fruit, salads, pressed in sorbets & drinks, wrapped in prosciutto, or desserts. A rich source of potassium, vitamin A, & vitamin C. We ship in 1 business day. Shipped with USPS First Class Mail. Plant Name: Melon, Hale’s Best Jumbo Cantaloupe Latin Name: Cucumis melo Days to Germinate: 7-14 Days to Harvest: 70-90 Growth Habit: Vine USDA Zones: 3-12 Lifespan: Annual Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade GMO: No Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated Brand: TomorrowSeeds Fungicide-Treated Seeds: No Seeds Packed For 2023 Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up & growing. Do not eat treated seeds. Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool & dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. Planting Instructions: Soil Preparation: Prepare soil by removing large weeds, large rocks, & litter from the planting area. Dig or plow the soil 8-10 inches deep in winter or early spring. You may optionally apply manure or compost at 50-100 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or 2-4 tons per acre , to build the organic matter content of the soil. Turn the soil over to cover organic material completely. Next, work the soil into ridges or hills 4-8 inches high & 12-14 inches wide. This creates well-draining soil beds. Heavier soils may require higher soil beds. Place rows of muskmelons or honeydews 6-8 feet apart. Since melons are vining crops, they require a lot of space & are best for larger gardens or lot-sized urban gardens; they may grow in small gardens if vines are trellised & the fruit is supported. Melons grow best in deep, well-draining sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter & a neutral pH. Heavy soils with lots of clay may cause smaller sized plants & produce fewer melons. Planting: Try not to plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring & all danger of frost is past since melons are warm-season crops & can be easily injured by frost. Black plastic mulch can help to increase soil temperature & give melons an earlier start on growth. To direct sow, plant 6-8 seeds 1-1 1/2 inches deep in hills spaced 2-3 feet apart within rows. Water after planting if soil is dry. Transplanting, in contrast to direct sowing, may save 10-12 days of harvest time. To transplant, plant seeds in peat pots 2-4 weeks before transplanting. Transplant into the garden before the second true leaf opens (true leaves are the first two large leaves that appear before the smaller seed leaves appear). After melon plants break through the soil, thin to 2 plants per hill. Planting Depth: 1 - 1/2 inch Within-Row Spacing: 2-3 feet Between-Row Spacing: 6-8 feet Care During the Season:
