• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mom with Plants logo
  • Gardening Tips
  • Houseplants
  • Garden Gear
  • Garden Problems
  • Garden Prep
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Gardening Tips
  • Houseplants
  • Garden Gear
  • Garden Problems
  • Garden Prep
×

Home » Planting & Growing

Harvesting Cantaloupe 101: How & When to pick

Published: May 21, 2021 · Updated: Mar 23, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
cantaloupe that has just been harvested with text overlay that reads how to harvest cantaloupe plus tips for checking ripeness
cantaloupe that has just been harvested with text overlay that reads how to harvest cantaloupe plus tips for checking ripeness

Once you've done the work to plant your cantaloupes, the fun part is harvesting! How do you know when to pick them?

cantaloupe that has just been harvested with text overlay that reads how to harvest cantaloupe plus tips for checking ripeness
Jump to:
  • How long until cantaloupe are ready to be picked?
  • How can I tell when my cantaloupe is ripe?
  • Signs your Cantaloupe is not ripe yet
  • How to harvest Cantaloupe
  • Will cantaloupe ripen after being picked?

How long until cantaloupe are ready to be picked?

Approximately 70-100 days after you started your seeds. This can vary by location, soil quality, and when the cantaloupe flowers.

How can I tell when my cantaloupe is ripe?

a hand holding a ripe cantaloupe and an unripe one next to it
Cantaloupe unripe to the left, and my hand is holding a ripe cantaloupe

Here's a few things to help you tell when it's time to pick your cantaloupe:

  • The melon will separate from the vine easily.
  • The cantaloupe skin will feel like netting.
  • Cantaloupe will feel heavy.
  • Cantaloupe is yellow/beige.
  • They will smell sweet.
  • The stem of the cantaloupe looks sunken in.

Signs your Cantaloupe is not ripe yet

a bunch of unripe cantaloupe that need to keep growing
Notice these unripe cantaloupe have almost no netting on the skin.

If your cantaloupe is not ripe, don't pick it. As soon as you pick it, it will not get any sweeter.

  • Cantaloupe is green.
  • Cantaloupe is smooth on the outside.
  • Cantaloupe is having a hard time being pulled off the vine.
  • The stem of the cantaloupe protrudes out of the melon.

How to harvest Cantaloupe

cantaloupe sitting on a bench that has just been harvested with a knife beside them

Once you've looked over your cantaloupe and they are ripe, you will want to pick them from the vine.

Most ripe cantaloupe can easily be pulled off the vine, but sometimes this isn't the case.
If the cantaloupe isn't separating easily, use a pair of gardening shears/sharp knife and cut the stem off from the vine.

Will cantaloupe ripen after being picked?

Yes, cantaloupe can ripen after being picked. But (and this is a huge but) cantaloupe won't get any sweeter. This is why it's best to leave the cantaloupe to ripen before picking.

You might also be interested in: how to grow grapes

Reader Interactions

Join the discussion Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

clipart mom holding her kids with clipart plants all around and text overlay that reads mom with plants

Hi, I'm Joanna! The mom behind "mom with plants". Mom with Plants was started to help beginners learn how to garden everything from strawberries to houseplants and more.

More about me →

Popular Garden Articles

  • Beginners Guide: How to Care for Orchids
  • The Best Raised Garden Beds
  • Best Gardening Gloves in 2022
  • Best Smelling Flowers

More Gardening Tips

  • 9 Flowers that attract Butterflies
  • How to grow a lemon tree in a pot
  • What's the best potting mix for Phalaenopsis Orchids?
  • Starting Seeds Indoors: A complete guide

Footer

↑ back to top

Connect

  • Contact
  • Sponsor

About

  • About Us

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure/Advertising

Mom with Plants creates information for educational purposes only. Posts within this website may or may not contain affiliate links. You can read more on affiliate links on our disclosure page. She's Your Friend is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

Copyright © 2021 Mom with Plants

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Mom with Plants
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.