Melons, Pumpkins, Cantaloupes

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) is a warmseason crop that generated $319 million in sales in the U.S. in 2013 (1). Most commercial production occurs in California and Arizona, but historically production has centered in Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey (14). Cantaloupe grows best in well drained silty or sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.0-6.5. This vegetable is well-suited to growers with small-scale cultivation of 5 acres or less (14), as production doesn’t require a lot of specialized equipment, and fruit are highly marketable.