Growing Rockmelon, also Canteloupe

Cucumis melo : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S    
                  T T T
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Rockmelon in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Frost tender

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
05 May 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you go on the internet and type 25 different melons you will see a website with 25 different melons from around the world. All different kinds and shapes. The melons grown in Australia today are far inferior to melons grown 20-30-40 years ago. Melons today have been breed for size, hardness for transport and shelf live in shops. ALL ABOUT WHAT THE SUPERMARKETS WANT. If you want to grow some try Hales Best. Grow in the spring.
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01 Apr 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there. Once I've harvested and eaten the delicious rockmelons, do i leave the plant there till next year? Or shall i pot it and bring it inside when it turns colder. Will it fruit again next year? Thanks so much!
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02 Apr 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
You grow one crop over about 4-5 months and then dig them out. As the melons ripen the vines will die.
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20 Apr 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Thank you so much! Dunno why but couldn't find info on this on google
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27 Mar 20, Kerry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am planting Mango (Candy) Melon and they apear to be similar. What time of year to plant plz? Sub tropics around central Qld.
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30 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rock melons are generally grown in the spring - seedlings planted out August. You can grow from mid summer with seedlings. Look up different melons on the internet, a site has 25 different kind.
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04 Feb 20, Vicki (Australia - temperate climate)
I managed to grow two rockmelon vines. The season is now coming to an end. Do you rip the vines out at the end of the season? Or leave them dormant until next year?
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10 Feb 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They are annual plants.
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02 Feb 20, Barbara Mortimer (Australia - temperate climate)
As my rockies are finishing now, what should I plant after them?
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03 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can plant whatever you like. Just build your soil back up with some compost/manure/fertiliser before you plant again. Plant things you like to eat and easy to grow. They have a planting guide on this website for each month I think.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 236 comments
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I've now had two seasons of rockmelons but I managed to pick them perfectly ripe each time! Its very exciting growing my very own rockmelon! In our garden there was a lot of fretting about when to harvest...... I did a lot of internet searching and they all said when the melon is no longer green between the veins, but that's not quite true as I have noticed even the ripe ones in the shops are still green between the veins. I agree with John when they start to smell sweet, feel heavy, the stem attaching them to the plant dries out and the green between the veins fades from the bright green to starting to be a dried out dusty looking green. Hope that helps!

- Melanie

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