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Hales Best Jumbo Cantaloupe Seeds, Heirloom Non-GMO
$1.99
In stock
Description
If you've ever bitten into a perfectly ripe cantaloupe and wondered if you could grow something that good at home — Hale's Best Jumbo is your answer. One of the most beloved heirloom cantaloupe varieties in America, Hale's Best Jumbo produces large, deeply netted melons with rich brown husks and brilliant orange flesh that is intensely sweet, aromatic, and dripping with juice. A true summer garden showpiece.
About This Variety
Hale's Best Jumbo (Cucumis melo) is a classic American heirloom cantaloupe prized for its exceptional flavor, generous size, and impressive disease resistance — including natural resistance to powdery mildew, one of the most common problems cantaloupe growers face. Sprawling vines produce heavily in warm conditions, and the melons store and ship exceptionally well once cured. Perfect for fresh eating, fruit salads, smoothies, sorbets, and even cold melon soups.
What You'll Receive
25 Hale's Best Jumbo Cantaloupe Seeds
Heirloom | Non-GMO | Open Pollinated
Growing instructions printed on every seed packet
Growing Guide
Direct sow: 1–2 weeks after last frost date when soil is warm
Start indoors: 2–4 weeks before last frost — transplant carefully as melons dislike root disturbance
Germination: 5–10 days at 70–95°F
Seeding depth: ½–1 inch
Plant spacing: 24 inches in a row, or 2–3 plants per hill
Row spacing: 4–6 feet
Plant height: 6–12 inches | Plant width: 48–72 inches (sprawling vine)
Days to maturity: 85–110 days
Light: Full sun
Soil: Warm, well-draining, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam, pH 6.5–7.5
Temperature: Thrives at 70–90°F — a true heat lover
Hardiness: Annual, zones 3–11
Growing Tips
Melons are all about warmth — soil temperature at planting is everything. Don't rush transplanting; wait until soil is consistently above 70°F for best germination and establishment. Hale's Best Jumbo requires insect pollination, so planting flowers nearby to attract bees will significantly improve your fruit set. Water deeply but infrequently, always at the base of the plant — wet foliage invites disease even in this mildew-resistant variety. Melons are ripe when the stem slips easily from the vine with gentle pressure and the blossom end gives slightly to the touch.
Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and cutworms. Row cover at planting protects young plants and can be removed once flowering begins to allow pollinator access.
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