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