Melon – Minnesota Midget

Cucumis melo
Excellent small very early heirloom melon that was introduced in 1948 by the University of Minnesota to better suit areas with a shorter growing season. It features a compact 3-4 foot plant that produces good yields of delicious, sweet, bright orange fleshed 4-6 inches across melons that weigh 1 1/2-2 1/2 pounds. They are smaller versions of muskmelons. It is excellent for home gardens and for short seasons. Very easy to grow. Vines can easily be trained and grown on a trellis. Delicious flavor! A excellent High quality, heavy yielding variety!
Sowing: Can start indoors early 4-6 weeks prior to planting outside. Very sensitive to transplant, so start in bio-degradable containers you can plant right in the ground, and remove bottom and transplant in bio-degradable container right in the ground. Direct sow 1-2 weeks after danger of frost when soil has warmed. Sow 1 inch deep in full sun in well drained soil.
Germination: 5-10 days Spacing: 18 inches between plants. Space 3-4 feet between rows or hills., for a hill 3 feet apart. Moisture: Regular until fruit sets, then a little less Soil: well drained, moderate organic matter, sandy, medium fertile Light: Full sun
Height: 2-3 feet Days to maturity: 60-75 days
Information: They slip easily right off the vine when ripe. Mulching with black plastic will help keep the soil warmer. Mulching is recommended.