Edisto 47

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Edisto 47’s fragrant, honeyed flesh—vividly sweet with a lush, melting texture and a clean, aromatic finish.

This cantaloupe forms a generous, golden-ripe interior under a protective rind, delivering dependable flavor for fresh enjoyment and show-stopping fruit for salads, fruit cups, and vibrant salsas. Grow Edisto 47 for a classic market cantaloupe experience: robust vines, reliable maturity in about 80 days, and a harvest that feels like summer in full bloom.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 25th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Jul 28th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Edisto 47 is built for eating at peak ripeness: fragrant, honey-forward, and juicy without turning watery on the plate. Keep it bright—lime, vinegar, and herbs make the sweetness pop instead of steamrolling the palate.

Best Uses

fresh spooning and fruit cups where the aroma leads
melon salad with a sharp vinaigrette that wakes up the sweetness
cool salsas (diced with chili/lime) that cling without turning mushy
blended summer smoothie or granita base for a silky melt

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness fragrant aromatic melon finish lush, melting flesh juicy, spoonable interior

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili (jalapeño or serrano) fresh mint prosciutto or speck feta champagne vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Cucumis melo (melon) and what should I do?

Watch for powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, powdery coating on melon leaves and often starts after warm days with cooler nights. At the first signs, remove badly infected leaves, improve airflow by keeping vines off damp soil, and water at the base early in the day. If pressure is high, use a labeled fungicide that targets powdery mildew on cucurbits and repeat according to the label interval.

How often should I water Cucumis melo during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level is best?

During active vine growth and while fruit is swelling (roughly weeks after flowering until near ripeness), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week split into 2–3 waterings. Water deeply at the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again. Avoid frequent light sprinkles that keep foliage damp and increase mildew risk.

How can I tell when Edisto 47 melon (Cucumis melo) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit’s background skin color shifts toward creamy/yellow and the rind develops a strong melon aroma near the blossom end. Another reliable cue is the fruit “slip”: the stem separates more easily and the surface near the stem/crease looks slightly dull rather than tightly green. Edisto 47 is typically ready around 80 days from sowing, but confirm with the aroma and color changes on each fruit.