I have grown cantaloupe melons in the past, with some success, and I'm in zone 5b/6a. Here are the things I've learned:
Start them inside, 6-8 weeks before planting them out.
Harden them off, usually for a week or so.
Do as much as you can to NOT disturb the roots when transplanting them.
About August 8th or so, remove any melon that is not the size of my fist, and keep removing any new ones that form. This makes the plant send all the sugars to the melons that will actually ripen before the season ends. When I figured this out, my melons got a LOT sweeter and better tasting.
Start them inside, 6-8 weeks before planting them out.
Harden them off, usually for a week or so.
Do as much as you can to NOT disturb the roots when transplanting them.
About August 8th or so, remove any melon that is not the size of my fist, and keep removing any new ones that form. This makes the plant send all the sugars to the melons that will actually ripen before the season ends. When I figured this out, my melons got a LOT sweeter and better tasting.
