Description

'Hearts of Gold' is an heirloom cantaloupe variety renowned for its firm, juicy, and aromatic flesh. These productive plants yield round, 3-pound fruits with dark orange, flavorful flesh. At up to 6″ in diameter, the melons are ribbed, heavily netted, and perfect for those with short growing seasons. A cross between the 'Osage' and 'Nettedgem' varieties, 'Hearts of Gold' offers exceptional flavor and texture, making it a standout addition to any garden.

Botanical Name: Cucumis melo
Days to Maturity: 80 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native: Africa, Asia, Australia, West Pacific Islands
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Dimensions: Sprawling vines average 6'.
Variety Information: Firm, juicy, and aromatic; up to 6″ diameter, 3 pounds, with deep orange flesh. Skin is ribbed and heavily netted. Cross between 'Osage' and 'Nettedgem' from 1890.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–90°F.
When to Start Inside: Recommended for short-season areas. 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting within 2 weeks after your average last frost date. Sow into biodegradable pots that can be directly planted in the ground; roots are sensitive to disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seed Spacing: 2–3 seeds per mound
Row Spacing: 4'–6' apart
Thinning: Thin to 1 plant per mound

Harvesting: Harvesting at the right time is very important with melons. Commercial growers harvest before melons are ripe, forcing them to ripen off the vine, but the last few days of ripening on the vine put a lot of sugars into the melon. Consequently, melons taste significantly better when vine ripened. How do you know when melons are ripe? Use these indicators: 1) The color between the surface netting is brown, not green. 2) A ripe melon will have a pleasant, fruity aroma at the blossom end. 3) A crack will form on the stem right near the point of attachment. This is called the “slip stage” and in a few days, the melon will detach from the vine with little effort and pressure. If it is somewhat difficult to detach the fruit from the vine, the melon is not ready yet. Do not allow to over-ripen.

This packet sows up to 16 mounds. 32 seeds in the packet.