Cantaloupe, Hales Best Jumbo 200 Seeds

Sowing Seed Indoors:

• Direct sowing is recommended, but to get a head start you can start honeydew indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost in individual biodegradable pots indoors. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot.
• Sow seeds ½  inches deep in seed-starting formula
• Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F
• Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days
• As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
• Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Thin to one plant per pot.
• Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Sowing Directly in the Garden

• Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.
• Sow in fertile, warm soil after danger of frost has passed.
• Sow seeds 3 inches apart in groups of 4-6. Cover with ½ inch of fine soil.
• Space groups 4-6 feet apart each way.
• Keep evenly moist.
• Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.
• Thin to 3 or 4 strongest seedlings in each group when they are 1-2 inches high.