Cantaloupe Minnesota Midget
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Minnesota Midget'
A compact cantaloupe perfect for northern gardens and small spaces, developed at the University of Minnesota. This early-maturing variety produces sweet, orange-fleshed fruits on short vines that can even be grown in containers. Despite its small size, the flavor rivals full-sized cantaloupes with excellent sweetness and aroma.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-9 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cantaloupe Minnesota Midget in USDA Zone 7
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Cantaloupe Minnesota Midget · 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 | August – October |
| Zone 5 | April – April | May – June | May – July | August – October |
| Zone 6 | April – April | May – June | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – May | May – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | March – March | April – May | April – June | July – August |
| Zone 9 | February – February | March – April | March – May | June – July |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – March | March – April | May – 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
Freshly harvested Minnesota Midget melons continue ripening at room temperature for 2-3 days if picked slightly underripe. Once fully ripe (fragrant with slight give at blossom end), refrigerate for up to one week in the crisper drawer. For best flavor, remove from refrigeration 30 minutes before eating.
The small size makes these perfect for individual preservation portions. Cut into chunks and freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags for smoothies and desserts – they'll keep 8-10 months. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for sweet, chewy snacks. The concentrated flavor also makes excellent melon butter or jam, though you'll need several fruits due to their petite size. Pickle the rinds using traditional watermelon rind recipes for a unique preserve that showcases the entire fruit.
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, whiteflies, and thrips while potentially improving melon flavor
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, protecting melons
Marigold
Deters nematodes and cucumber beetles with strong scent
Radish
Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, breaks up soil for melon roots
Corn
Provides natural windbreak and partial shade for heat-sensitive melons
Bean
Fixes nitrogen in soil and doesn't compete for same nutrients as melons
Sunflower
Attracts beneficial insects and provides natural trellis support
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and improves overall garden pest resistance
Keep Apart
Cucumber
Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like cucumber beetles
Potato
May stunt melon growth and both plants are susceptible to similar fungal diseases
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including melons through allelopathic compounds
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Some resistance to powdery mildew
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash bugs, spider mites
Diseases
Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, anthracnose