85-110 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Sungold Casaba Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, Casaba Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This variety is known for its heat tolerance and drought resistance, making it ideal for regions with hot summers. Its unique mild sweetness and creamy flesh make it stand out from the more commonly grown cantaloupes and honeydews. It is also a good option for growers looking for something different in their melon patch. This shorter vine plant has impressive yields of sweet melons. The flesh is tender and delicious. ~1,100 seeds/oz. Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF Latin Name: Cucumis melo Hardiness Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter Days to Maturity: 85-110 Days to Germination: 5-10 Seeding Depth: 0.5-1 inch Direct Sow: Yes, direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. Start Indoors: Yes. Melons may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Wait to transplant them outdoors until at least 1 week after your last frost date as melons grow best with warm soil. Avoid leaving them in seed starting containers for long as melons are sensitive to transplanting. Harden off to reduce the effects of transplant shock. Melon Pollination: Melons require insects, such as bees, for successful pollination. As monoecious plants they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that not every flower will develop into fruit. We recommend growing an assortment of flowers near or throughout your garden to attract pollinators. Melon Type: Casaba - Casaba melons have a ridged husk and typically have a pointed end. The color of the husk is most often yellow but can also be green. Flesh is typically yellow, pale yellow or orange. Mildly sweet the flesh tastes like asian pear or sweet cucumber with a very slight peppery kick. Casaba has a very slight musky odor. Plant Spacing: 24 inches in row or 2-3 plants per hill. Row Spacing: 6 Feet Plant Height: 12-15 inches Plant Spread: 48-72 inches Plant Width: 48-72 inches Growth Habit: Sprawled, Trailing Vine Growth Speed: Late - Ready for harvest around 100-120 days or more. Deer Resistant: No Soil Preference: Melons prefer warm, well-draining but moist, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Temperature Preference: Warmer (70-90 F). Germination Temperature: 70-95 F Light Preference: Full Sun Pests and Diseases: Generally, melons are commonly susceptible to pest damage by aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, cutworms, white flies, and melon worms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Melons are also susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, and Fusarium Wilt, Anthracnose, and Bacterial Wilt. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. Sungold Casaba Melon Color: Yellow husk and yellow flesh. Sungold Casaba Melon Flavor: Mildly sweet, somewhat musky flavor, less sweet than cantaloupe or honeydew but still refreshing. Garden Size: Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed Melon Use: Fruit salads, snacking, fresh eating, smoothies, paired with other foods on charcuterie boards, etc. Climate Tolerance: Heat Growing Sungold Casaba Melon in the Vegetable Garden When planting Sungold Casaba melon, you can direct sowing seeds outdoors or start them indoors and transplant them later. If starting indoors, sow seeds about 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds 0.5 to 1 inch deep in a well-draining seed-starting mix. Melon seeds require warmth to germinate, so maintain a temperature of 70-85 F. If you’re direct sowing outdoors, wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 70 F for proper germination. Once the seedlings are about 3-4 inches tall, thin them so that the strongest plant remains every 2 feet. Before transplanting or direct sowing, harden off your seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Plant the seeds about 24 inches apart in rows spaced 4-6 feet apart to give the sprawling vines plenty of room. Hill planting is also optional. Melons are heavy feeders, so applying a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting and then side-dressing with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once the vines begin to grow is recommended. Watering is critical, especially during the flowering and fruit development stages. Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. To prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew, water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves. Pinch off the growing tips of the vines when they are about 3-4 feet long to encourage lateral shoots, which will bear more fruit. Companion plants that work well with Sungold Casaba melons include corn, radishes, marigolds, and beans, as they can help deter pests or improve the growing environment. Avoid planting melons near potatoes or cucumbers, as they may attract similar pests or compete for nutrients. Harvesting Sungold Casaba Melon You’ll know they’re ripe when the rind turns a golden yellow and the blossom end of the fruit softens slightly. Casaba melons, unlike cantaloupes, do not “slip” off the vine when ripe, so you’ll need to cut the melon from the vine using a sharp knife or pruning shears. Be careful not to damage the vine, as it may continue producing fruit. About Sungold Casaba Melon Garden Seeds This melon belongs to the inodorus group of melons, meaning it has a tougher, thicker skin and doesn’t emit as strong a fragrance as other melon types, like cantaloupes. Casaba melons are said to be from Asian Minor, in modern-day Turkey, where it was cultivated for its ability to withstand heat. This variety stands out due to its ability to store for weeks to months after harvest without losing flavor or texture. The thick rind protects the fruit from bruising and delays spoilage. Sungold is considered a ‘full-size’ casaba yet ripens earlier than other types. The name “Casaba” likely originates from the Kasaba region in Turkey, a melon-growing area. Tips From Our Gardeners "When hardening-off seedlings for transplanting, do so gradually to reduce transplant shock. Simply expose the plants to outdoor conditions for a few hours a day, gradually increasing the time over a week." - Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer Other Resources Sungold Casaba Melon Seeds Per Package: 3 g - Wholesale - Approximately 100 Seeds 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,100 Seeds 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,400 Seeds 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 17,600 Seeds 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 88,000 Seeds 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 440,000 Seeds Non-GMO Sungold Casaba Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
