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            
        P P            

(Best months for growing Rockmelon in USA - Zone 5a regions)

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

07 Oct 17, Monique (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Lizzy, do you mind me asking where your melons came from? I'm in Queanbeyan myself and have just moved to a place with garden space so my daughter would love to grow some yummy things, but it's too late to start melon from seeds and I can't find rockmelon seedlings!
15 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My wife had a rock melon 2 weeks ago and I just threw the seeds and core under a small mango tree I'm growing and they germinated straight away. Although rockies are planted early in September here (seedlings) I'm going to give it a go. I might plant some corn near them, to give them some shade.
19 Mar 17, Ron (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i am growing rock melons at work and have not had the experience of knowing when to pick them several friut are changing slightly to a lite shade of beige with slight yellow parts on the top side the stems are still green and no give where the stork joins the melon many thanks for any advice
15 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live near Bundaberg in Qld. They use to grow a lot of rockies here years ago. They would start picking late Oct so probably planted seedlings in August (no frosts here). I worked on a farm during the picking season one year (late 1980's). When to pick the melons - they would start to turn from green to yellow and the melon would come away from the stalk/vine easily. They would fall off with a gentle tug. They seem to pick them a few days too early these days - they are green on the outside color and very firm flesh to eat. A melon ripened properly, will be softish and have a good melon smell.
21 Mar 17, Joanna (Australia - temperate climate)
They are ready to pick when the stem attaching them to the vine starts to die off. They sweeten further if you keep them at room temperature for a few days after pic,inf.
19 Mar 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
When rock melons are ripe you will see a small crack start to appear where the stalk joins the fruit. The stalk will come away easily from the fruit when you gently attempt to pick it.
06 Mar 17, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
My rockmelon is rotting on the vine. The underside is being attacked by a mould on fungus. I have tried rolling the fruit over to have sunlight on all sides but it does not help. Even fruit hanging off the ground on a trellis is being attacked. Is there a spray or dust I can use to stop this problem?
08 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Any copper-based spray will work. As long as it is not applied excessively it is a safe spray to use. Rock melons are in the same family as pumpkins, zucchinis and cucumbers and are very susceptible to downy mildew and other fungal problems. To reduce the problem grow on trellises in a well ventilated spot. High humidity does not help the problem. Trust this helps.
09 Mar 17, Colleen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
For a non chemical method, which I've used for many years, make up a solution of powdered milk and water the whole plant with it. For some reason the milk seems to either kill or neutralise the powdery mildew
27 Feb 17, Anthea (Australia - temperate climate)
Rockmelons are sweet, but the flesh is too hard rather than juicy. Any suggestions as to how I can grow better ones next year?
Showing 61 - 70 of 236 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Rockmelon

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.