Cantaloupe – Minnesota Midget

Description

Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe

25 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 60–75 days

Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Botanical Name: Cucumis melo

Bred by the University of Minnesota in 1948, Minnesota Midget is a classic heirloom cantaloupe tailored for northern climates and short growing seasons. This early-maturing variety produces sweet, single serving sized melons in just 60–75 days from transplant—perfect for regions where summer heat doesn’t stick around long.

Compact, sprawling vines reach only 3 to 4 feet in length, making this variety an excellent choice for container growing, raised beds, or tight garden spaces. Despite its small footprint, Minnesota Midget delivers impressive yields of 4–6″ round fruits, each weighing between 13 oz and 1.5 lbs.

The golden netted rind surrounds thick, bright orange flesh with a rich, juicy sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Some describe its flavor as similar to the Blenheim orange cantaloupe—intensely sweet with a classic muskmelon aroma and taste.

In addition to its flavor and convenient size, this variety is also known for its resilience. It shows good tolerance to cool nights and is resistant to Fusarium wilt, making it a dependable and easy-to-grow melon for gardeners of all experience levels. Whether you’re planting in the ground or on a patio, Minnesota Midget delivers big flavor in a small package!

Disease resistance: Fusarium wilt

Planting Instructions for Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe Seeds

When to Plant:
Direct sow Minnesota Midget Melon seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, once the soil consistently reaches 70°F (21°C) or warmer. For shorter seasons or cooler regions, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, using peat pots or soil blocks to avoid root disturbance. Transplant outdoors after hardening off and when both soil and air temperatures are consistently warm and the danger of frost is past.

Where to Plant:
Choose a site in full sun that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Minnesota Midget Melons thrive in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Raised beds or south-facing slopes are ideal. Incorporate 2–3 inches of compost before planting. Avoid planting in areas that recently grew other melons, cucumbers, squash, or pumpkins.

How to Sow:
Sow seeds ½” to 1″ deep. If planting in rows, space seeds or transplants 18–24″ apart in rows 4–5′ apart. For hills, sow 3–4 seeds per hill and thin to the strongest 1–2 plants. Minnesota Midget’s compact vines are also well-suited for container growing or small-space gardens.

Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist through germination. Once vines are established, provide 1–2 inches of water per week. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep rooting. Reduce watering slightly once fruit begins to ripen to improve sweetness and avoid splitting. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of mildew.

Fertilization:
Mix compost into the planting site before sowing. Additional fertilizer is typically not needed unless soil is poor. If desired, side-dress with compost tea, fish emulsion, or a balanced organic fertilizer once vines begin to spread and again when the first small fruits begin to form.

Mulching:
Once your seedlings are growing well, add mulch around the plants. Use black plastic if your goal is to warm the soil. Warmer soil helps seeds sprout faster and encourages early root and vine growth, which is especially helpful in cooler climates or early in the season. If you’re mainly trying to hold in moisture and stop weeds, straw or shredded leaves are good options, but they won’t help the soil warm up as much. Mulching also keeps the fruits clean by lifting them off the dirt and helps stop mud from splashing onto them when it rains.

Training & Pruning:
Vines can be allowed to sprawl or trained vertically. For vertical growth, support fruit with cloth slings. If desired, lightly prune some of the small side branches that grow off the main vine to help air move through the plant and let it focus energy on growing better-quality fruits. Avoid over-pruning, which can reduce flower production and sugar development.

Pollination:
Minnesota Midget Melons produce both male and female flowers. Bees and other pollinators are essential for fruit set. Encourage pollination by planting pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs nearby. Good choices include borage, dill, sunflowers, marigolds, and oregano allowed to flower. These help attract bees and other insects that will visit your Minnesota Midget Melon blooms. In low-pollinator areas, hand pollinate by transferring pollen from male to female blooms using a small paintbrush.

Common Pests & Diseases:

• Pests: Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles (vector for bacterial wilt), squash bugs, and vine borers. Use row covers until flowering, hand-pick pests, or apply insecticidal soap in the early morning or evening.
• Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, and leaf blights can occur. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and space plants adequately. Treat outbreaks with organic fungicides or DIY sprays (e.g., baking soda solution).

Harvesting:
Minnesota Midget Melons are ready to harvest when the rind turns tan beneath the netting and the fruit slips easily from the vine with light pressure. The melon should have a sweet fragrance and feel slightly soft at the blossom end. Due to their small size, melons mature quickly—check often as they ripen fast once they start.

Storage:
Whole Minnesota Midget Melons can be stored at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Once cut, store tightly wrapped or in a sealed container in the fridge and consume within 2 to 3 days. Wash the rind before slicing to avoid contamination of the flesh.

Seed Saving:
Saving Minnesota Midget Melon seeds is an enjoyable and economical way to preserve this early, compact heirloom. Minnesota Midget Melons are insect-pollinated and cross readily with other melon types, so avoid growing multiple melon varieties within ½ mile of one another.

Let the melons ripen fully on the vine. Once picked, cut them open the long way and scoop out the seeds into a jar. Add room temperature (not hot) water and let the mixture sit for 2 to 4 days, stirring it once each day to help the seeds separate. Good seeds will sink, while pulp and non-viable seeds float. Pour off the debris, rinse the good seeds thoroughly, and spread them out on a paper towel or mesh screen to dry for several days in a well-ventilated area.

Once your seeds are fully dry, you can store them in a labeled container. For longer storage, you can keep the container right in the freezer. Freezing helps protect seeds from moisture, pests, and temperature swings, especially over many months. For a quick and easy option, use our seed-saving envelopes. They’re simple to use, pre-labeled, and include spaces to write the variety, date, and any notes you want to remember. They help keep your seeds neat, labeled, and easy to find when you’re ready to plant next season. When stored properly, Minnesota Midget Melon seeds can last 3–5 years.

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