Sink your teeth into summer’s sweetest reward!
Hales Best Jumbo is the kind of cantaloupe that makes you pause and savor every bite. With its deeply netted rind and juicy, orange flesh, this heirloom melon brings the sunshine straight to your plate. It’s a garden classic that thrives in the heat and rewards your care with big, fragrant fruits that taste like summer in a slice.
Variety: Hales Best Jumbo Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)
Growth Habit: Warm-season annual with vigorous vines
Height: Sprawling vines up to 6 feet
Flavor Profile: Sweet, juicy, and aromatic
Color: Netted tan skin with deep orange flesh
Planting Conditions: Direct sow in full sun after last frost
Harvest Timeline: Fruits mature in 80–90 days
Uses: Fresh eating, fruit salads, smoothies, and chilled desserts
Fun Fact: Introduced in the 1920s, this variety remains a favorite for its rich flavor and generous size, often over 5 pounds!
There’s nothing quite like slicing into a sun-warmed Hales Best Jumbo melon. The scent alone is enough to make your mouth water, floral, fruity, and oh-so-sweet. Perfect for fruit salads, smoothies, or just scooping straight from the rind, this cantaloupe is a must-have for summer snacking. Its reliable growth and big yields make it a favorite for gardeners who love to share the bounty.
To Full Size
🌞 Choose a Sunny Spot: Pick a warm, sunny location with rich, well-drained soil.
🌱 Sow the Seeds: Direct sow ½ inch deep, spacing 18–24 inches apart in rows or hills.
💧 Water Consistently: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
🌾 Thin and Maintain: Thin to 2–3 feet apart to give vines room to sprawl.
✂️ Harvest: Pick when the fruit slips easily from the vine and smells sweet at the stem end.
