Grow a melon that lives up to its name!
Hearts of Gold is a true garden treasure, an heirloom cantaloupe with rich, orange flesh and a fragrance that fills the air when it’s ripe. Sweet, juicy, and bursting with old-fashioned flavor, this compact vine is perfect for smaller spaces and delivers a harvest that tastes like sunshine and nostalgia.
Variety: Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)
Growth Habit: Warm-season annual with compact vining habit
Height: Low-growing vines, ideal for small gardens
Flavor Profile: Sweet, aromatic, and juicy
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: This heirloom dates back to the early 1900s and was once a market garden favorite for its unbeatable flavor and fragrance.
Hearts of Gold is the kind of melon that makes you want to eat it barefoot in the garden. Its sweet, floral aroma signals ripeness before you even slice it open. The compact vines are perfect for raised beds or smaller plots, and the fruits are just the right size for sharing, or not! Whether chilled in the fridge or eaten warm from the sun, it’s a summer treat you’ll look forward to every year.
To Full Size
🌞 Choose a Sunny Spot: Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil are key.
🌱 Sow the Seeds: Direct sow ½ inch deep, spacing 18–24 inches apart.
💧 Water Consistently: Keep soil moist but not soggy, especially during flowering and fruiting.
🌾 Thin and Maintain: Thin to 2–3 feet apart to allow vines to spread.
✂️ Harvest: Pick when the fruit slips easily from the vine and smells sweet at the stem end.
