Melon Seeds,
Sweet Passion

Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost or start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting. Wait until soil temperatures reach 70°F or higher before planting outside. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Plant seeds 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep in fertile, loose soil. For rows, space seeds 18–24 inches apart with 4–6 feet between rows. Alternatively, sow in mounds or hills with 2–3 seeds per hill and thin to the strongest seedling. Water gently and consistently to encourage healthy germination.

Provide deep watering weekly, increasing frequency during fruit set. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. Fertilize during flowering with compost or organic feed. Support vines with trellising or let them sprawl in open spaces. Harvest when fruits are fragrant and easily detach from the stem.

Note: if you are planning to save seeds, you must isolate Cucumis melo varieties from each other to prevent cross-pollination, or bag the flowers and hand-pollinate them

• Let fruits fully ripen and begin to soften on the vine
• Cut the melon open and scoop out seeds
• Place seeds in a bowl of water and ferment for 1–2 days
• Rinse and remove floating debris
• Spread seeds on a screen or paper towel to dry thoroughly
• Store in a cool, dry, dark place in labeled envelopes for up to 5 years