Cantaloupe Hales Best
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Hales Best'
A time-tested heirloom cantaloupe that has been the benchmark for home garden success since 1924. Developed in California's Imperial Valley, this variety combines excellent disease tolerance with outstanding flavor and reliable production. The thick, sweet, salmon-colored flesh and perfect netting make it the cantaloupe that many gardeners grow year after year.
Harvest
85-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-9 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cantaloupe Hales Best in USDA Zone 7
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Cantaloupe Hales Best · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May – May | June – July | June – August | September – October |
| Zone 4 | April – May | June – June | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | April – April | May – June | May – July | September – October |
| Zone 6 | April – April | May – June | May – July | August – October |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – May | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 8 | March – March | April – May | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 9 | February – February | March – April | March – May | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – March | March – April | June – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Musky-scented, spherical to oblong berry with a rind (pepo), often furrowed with yellow, white or green flesh and many seeds. The rind may be green, yellow, tan, beige or white and the surface may be smooth, rough, warty, scaly, or netted. Seeds white, about 1/2 inch long, narrow. Seeds ripen in August and September.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, White. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Hales Best cantaloupes continue ripening at room temperature for 2-3 days if harvested slightly underripe. Once fully ripe, refrigerate whole melons for 5-7 days in the crisper drawer. Cut cantaloupe stays fresh for 3-4 days when wrapped tightly in plastic.
For longer preservation, cube ripe flesh and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags—frozen cantaloupe keeps for 8-10 months and works well in smoothies. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 12-18 hours to create chewy fruit leather. You can also preserve cantaloupe in light syrup through water bath canning, though the texture becomes softer. Avoid freezing whole or large pieces, as the high water content creates mushy results when thawed for fresh eating.
History & Origin
Origin: Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Australia
Advantages
- +Edible: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, thrips, and flies while potentially enhancing melon flavor
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and cucumber beetles that commonly attack melons
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, draws pests away from melons
Radishes
Breaks up soil for better root growth and deters cucumber beetles
Corn
Provides beneficial shade and wind protection without competing for nutrients
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Oregano
Repels aphids and provides general pest deterrent properties
Sunflowers
Attracts beneficial pollinators essential for melon fruit development
Keep Apart
Cucumber
Competes for same nutrients and space, shares common diseases and pests
Aromatic herbs (strong)
Strong scents from mint or sage can inhibit melon growth and development
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most garden plants including melons
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good tolerance to powdery mildew and downy mildew
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, aphids, thrips, squash bugs
Diseases
Bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, alternaria leaf spot