Cantaloupe
Where to buy seeds
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Sharlyn melons are heirloom, open-pollinated cantaloupes that deliver genuine sweetness in a compact, heat-loving package. These oval fruits mature in 100 to 109 days and grow to about the size of a typical cantaloupe, with creamy flesh that's mild yet genuinely delicious. Hardy across zones 2 through 13, they thrive in full sun and moderate water, making them accessible to gardeners across most of North America. Their musky aroma and cantaloupe-like character earned them the affectionate names Sharlyn Cantaloupes or Sharlyn Muskmelons among growers who appreciate their reliable flavor and heat tolerance.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-13
15in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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Sharlyn melons pack genuine sweetness into a heat and drought-tolerant heirloom frame, a rare combination that makes them standout performers in challenging growing seasons. The creamy, mild-flavored flesh develops tender texture that's worth the hundred-day wait, especially for gardeners in warm zones. Open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seeds from your best fruits year after year, connecting you to generations of melon growers who prized this cultivar. They grow vigorously on vines that stay manageable in garden plots and raised beds, and their musky aroma announces ripeness before you even cut into them.
Sharlyn melons are eaten fresh, either chilled as a simple dessert, cut into cubes for fruit salads, or halved for breakfast. Their mild sweetness and tender flesh make them approachable for people who find highly perfumed melons overwhelming. The seed cavity is easy to scoop out, and the fruit size means it consumes reasonably without waste for a family meal.
Direct sow Sharlyn melon seeds into warm soil after frost danger has passed. Soil temperature should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally closer to 85 degrees for vigorous germination.
Sharlyn melons mature in 100 to 109 days from planting. Harvest when the fruit has a creamy color, the melon yields slightly to gentle pressure at the blossom end, and the characteristic musky aroma is pronounced. The slip from the vine should come away cleanly with a gentle twist; avoid forcing the separation. Pick melons in early morning for best flavor and store immediately in a cool location.
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