Jenny Lind Melon
Cucumis melo var. reticulatus 'Jenny Lind'
A charming 1840s heirloom cantaloupe named after the famous Swedish opera singer, featuring distinctive turban-shaped fruits with a pronounced button end. This early-maturing variety produces small, intensely flavored melons with pale orange flesh and fine netting that were once sold by street vendors in Philadelphia. The compact size and exceptional flavor make it perfect for small gardens and fresh eating.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-9 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Jenny Lind Melon in USDA Zone 7
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Jenny Lind Melon · 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 | August – 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 Jenny Lind melons store best at room temperature for 2-3 days if harvested at proper slip stage, allowing flavors to fully develop. Once fully aromatic and slightly soft at the blossom end, refrigerate for up to one week at 36-40°F and 85-90% humidity. Avoid storing below 36°F, which causes chilling injury and off-flavors.
For longer preservation, cut ripe melons into cubes and freeze on parchment-lined trays before transferring to freezer bags—frozen melon works excellently in smoothies and maintains quality for 10-12 months. Their intensely sweet flesh also makes outstanding melon butter when cooked down with lemon juice and minimal sugar, processed in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 12-18 hours to create concentrated melon 'leather' that captures the variety's distinctive aromatic qualities. The small fruit size makes Jenny Lind melons particularly suitable for individual preservation portions.
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 hornworms while potentially improving melon flavor
Marigolds
Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes that commonly attack melons
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, draws pests away from melons
Radishes
Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs while improving soil structure
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding melons without competing for space
Corn
Provides natural windbreak and shade during hot afternoons, complementary root systems
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Sunflowers
Attracts beneficial insects and provides afternoon shade while offering vertical growing support
Keep Apart
Cucumber
Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and germination of melons
Mint
Aggressive spreading nature competes for water and nutrients, can overwhelm melon root system
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167765)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Typical heirloom disease resistance, adapted to eastern climates
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, aphids
Diseases
Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew