Hale's Best Cantaloupe is a time-tested, open-pollinated heirloom prized for dependable production, heavily netted, lightly ribbed rind, a small seed cavity and richly sweet orange flesh. The medium-sized melons typically weigh 4 to 5 pounds and measure approximately 5.5 by 7 inches. Fully vine-ripened fruit offers aromatic flavor and juicy texture for fresh summer eating. Vigorous vines thrive with warmth, full sun, steady moisture and room to spread. This packet contains 100 planting seeds.

Germination Rate: 85%. Test Date: 12/25. WILL.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 75%.

Why Choose Hale's Best Cantaloupe?

• Sweet Orange Flesh: Aromatic, juicy fruit is delicious chilled or added to fresh summer dishes.
• Medium-Sized Melons: Heavily netted, lightly ribbed fruits typically weigh 4 to 5 pounds.
• Small Seed Cavity: Enjoy a generous portion of edible flesh in each melon.
• Heirloom Quality: An open-pollinated favorite for home and market gardens.
• Vigorous Vines: Warmth, space and consistent care support a productive harvest.
• Maturity: Approximately 79 days under favorable growing conditions.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Choose full sun with at least 8 hours of direct light daily.
• Timing: Direct sow after frost danger passes and soil reaches about 70°F or warmer. Alternatively, start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting.
• Soil: Plant in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Incorporate finished compost.
• Spacing and Support: Space hills or plants about 4 to 6 feet apart. If trellising, use sturdy support and individual slings for developing fruit.
• Watering: Maintain even moisture during growth and fruit development. Ease watering near ripeness without allowing plants to wilt.
• Feeding: Use compost and balanced fertilizer early, following label directions. Avoid excessive nitrogen once flowering begins.
• Pollination: Encourage bees with nearby flowers and avoid spraying during bloom.
• Harvesting: Look for a strong melon aroma, a change in rind background color and fruit that begins to slip from the stem. Allow harvested ripe fruit to finish softening indoors if needed.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium 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: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.

Cooking Methods

• Fresh Slices: Serve chilled with lime, mint, basil or a light sprinkle of salt.
• Fruit Salads: Combine with berries, peaches, citrus or grapes.
• Prosciutto and Melon: Wrap ripe slices for a sweet-and-savory appetizer.
• Fresh Salsa: Dice with cucumber, jalapeño, lime, onion and herbs.
• Chilled Soup: Blend with yogurt, lime, mint and a pinch of salt.
• Smoothies: Blend with yogurt, citrus, berries or cucumber.

Order Hale's Best Cantaloupe Seeds Today

Grow sweet, aromatic Hale's Best cantaloupes for fresh summer eating and garden-fresh recipes.

Nutritional Information

Approximate values for 1 cup (156 g) diced raw harvested cantaloupe, not planting seeds. These are general cantaloupe reference values, not a variety-specific analysis.

• Calories: 53 per serving.
• Carbohydrates: 12.7 g.
• Protein: 1.3 g.
• Fat: 0.3 g.
• Fiber: 1.4 g.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Cantaloupe supplies vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium.

% Daily Value is based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Values vary with ripeness and growing conditions.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Fruit size, sweetness, yield and maturity vary with climate, soil, pollination, watering, care and harvest timing. Days to maturity are approximate.
• Seed Storage: Keep unused seeds sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
• Planting Zones: Cantaloupe is a warm-season annual. Follow local frost dates and plant once the soil has warmed.

Hale's Best Cantaloupe Salad with Lime and Mint

Use harvested cantaloupe from your garden, not the planting seeds in this packet. Serves 4. Preparation: 15 minutes. Cooking: None.

Ingredients

• 4 cups peeled, seeded Hale's Best cantaloupe cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint
• A small pinch of salt, optional

Directions

1. Wash your hands and clean the knife, cutting board and bowl. Scrub the whole melon under running water with a clean produce brush before cutting, even though the rind will be discarded.
2. Halve the melon, scoop out the seed cavity, remove the rind and cut the flesh into bite-sized cubes. Measure 4 cups into the bowl.
3. Add lime juice, lime zest, mint and optional salt. Toss gently to coat without crushing the fruit.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate until chilled. Add extra mint just before serving if desired.

Options and Storage: Substitute fresh basil for mint if you prefer. Refrigerate promptly in a covered container and enjoy within 2 days for best texture. Do not leave cut melon at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour above 90°F.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.