Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe
Cucumis melo var. cantaloupensis 'Minnesota Midget'
A compact cantaloupe variety developed by the University of Minnesota for short growing seasons and small spaces. This prolific heirloom produces sweet, orange-fleshed melons weighing just 1-2 pounds each on compact vines perfect for northern gardens. Despite its small size, it delivers full cantaloupe flavor and is ready to harvest in just 70 days.
Harvest
70-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-9 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe in USDA Zone 7
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Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe · 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 – 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
Store freshly harvested Minnesota Midget cantaloupes at room temperature for 2-3 days to allow full flavor development if they were picked at early slip stage. Once fully ripe, refrigerate whole melons for up to one week in the crisper drawer. Cut melons should be wrapped tightly and used within 3-4 days.
For preservation, remove seeds and cut flesh into chunks for freezing - frozen cantaloupe works well in smoothies and sorbet but loses its firm texture. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create concentrated cantaloupe chips. You can also puree the flesh and freeze in ice cube trays for easy smoothie additions. Minnesota Midget's intense flavor concentration makes it excellent for making cantaloupe jam or preserves, though you'll need multiple melons due to their small size.
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
Marigolds
Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, draws pests away from melons
Radishes
Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs while loosening soil with taproots
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides natural ground cover without competing
Corn
Provides natural windbreak and vertical structure without root competition
Sunflowers
Attracts beneficial insects and provides shade during hot afternoons
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and improves overall garden biodiversity
Keep Apart
Cucumbers
Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like cucumber beetles
Potatoes
May stunt melon growth and both crops are susceptible to similar fungal diseases
Aromatic herbs (strong)
Strong herbs like sage can inhibit melon germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to cool weather stress, moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash bugs
Diseases
Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt