Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe is a celebrated American heirloom with a heritage dating back to the early 1900s. This time-tested variety produces vigorous vines and round melons with heavily netted rinds, thick golden-orange flesh, and an intensely sweet, aromatic flavor. Fruits typically weigh 3 to 4 pounds and measure about 6 to 6.5 inches across. The pronounced netting and sweet aroma help signal ripeness, while the generous flesh makes Hearts of Gold a rewarding choice for fresh summer eating, fruit salads, smoothies, sorbet, and savory sweet-and-salty pairings.

Germination Rate: 85%. Test Date: 11/25. WILL.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 75%.

Why Choose Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe?

• American Heirloom: A beloved early-1900s variety valued for flavor and dependable garden performance.
• Intensely Sweet Flesh: Produces deep golden-orange flesh with rich aroma and concentrated summer flavor.
• Netted Rind: Heavy netting and a strong sweet aroma help indicate when fruit is approaching peak ripeness.
• Productive Vines: Vigorous vines can produce an abundant harvest when given warmth, space, moisture, and pollinators.
• Open-Pollinated and Non-GMO: Traditional seed that can be saved from mature fruit for future gardens.
• Reliable Maturity: Expect harvest in approximately 79 days under favorable growing conditions.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Plant in full sun with at least 8 hours of direct light each day. Cantaloupe needs warmth and light for sugar development.
• Soil: Use fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Mix finished compost into the planting area before sowing.
• Timing: Direct sow after frost danger has passed when soil temperatures reach at least 65°F, or start seeds indoors about 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting.
• Spacing: Give vines plenty of room, spacing hills about 4 to 6 feet apart in rows about 6 feet apart. Use supported slings if growing melons vertically.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during vine growth and fruit development. Reduce watering as fruit approaches ripeness to help concentrate flavor.
• Feeding: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer at planting, then shift toward a fruiting fertilizer once flowering begins.
• Pollination: Bees are essential for fruit set. Grow pollinator-friendly flowers nearby and avoid sprays during bloom.
• Harvesting: Harvest when the stem slips easily from the vine with gentle pressure, the blossom end gives slightly, and the fruit develops a strong sweet aroma.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Proudly supplying quality seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: We meet applicable requirements for selling vegetable seed.
• Great Customer Service: We're here to help with questions about your seeds and orders.

Cooking Methods

• Fresh: Halve, remove the seeds, and serve chilled for the purest expression of its sweet golden flesh.
• Prosciutto and Melon: Wrap chilled slices in prosciutto for a classic sweet-and-savory appetizer.
• Fruit Salads: Cube and combine with berries, citrus, herbs, and a honey-lime dressing.
• Smoothies: Blend with lime, mint, yogurt, berries, or cucumber for a naturally sweet summer drink.
• Sorbet: Purée ripe melon and freeze for a simple frozen dessert with bright fruit flavor.
• Salsa: Dice with jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and lime for a sweet-heat salsa.

Order Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Seeds Today

Order yours today and grow intensely sweet Hearts of Gold cantaloupes for fresh summer eating and garden-fresh recipes.

Nutritional Information

Applies to harvested cantaloupe, not planting seeds. Per 1 cup (160 g) diced cantaloupe:

• Calories: 54
• Total Fat: 0.3g (0% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 26mg (1% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 13g (5% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 1.4g (5% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 12.6g
• Protein: 1.3g
• Vitamin A: 299mcg (33% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 57mg (63% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 427mg (9% Daily Value)
• Folate: 33mcg (8% Daily Value)

*Percent Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Nutritional values are estimates for harvested fruit from mature cantaloupe plants.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Fruit size, sweetness, yield, and maturity vary with climate, soil, pollination, watering, care, and harvest timing. The listed maturity period is an estimate under favorable conditions.
• Seed Storage: Store unused seeds in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Seal opened packets for best viability.
• Planting Zones: Cantaloupe is a warm-season annual. Plant after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed, following local frost dates and growing-season conditions.

Recipe: Honey-Lime Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Salad

Sweet harvested Hearts of Gold cantaloupe shines in this refreshing salad with lime and fresh mint. Use harvested melon, not planting seeds. Serves 4. Preparation: 15 minutes. Chilling: 20 minutes. No cooking required.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed harvested Hearts of Gold cantaloupe, rind and seeds removed
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh mint
• Lime wedges for serving, optional

Directions

1. Before cutting, scrub the whole melon rind under running water with a clean produce brush and dry with a clean towel. Use a clean knife and cutting board.
2. Halve the melon, scoop out the seed cavity and remove the rind. Cut the flesh into bite-size cubes and measure 4 cups into a bowl.
3. Whisk lime juice and honey until combined. Pour over the melon and toss gently.
4. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Fold in the mint just before serving, with lime wedges if desired.

Serving and storage: Serve chilled as a side dish or light dessert. Keep cut melon refrigerated at 40°F or below and enjoy within 2 days for best texture. Refrigerate within two hours of preparation or serving, or one hour above 90°F. Do not serve honey to children younger than 12 months; omit it for them.

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