Minnesota Midget

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Minnesota Midget’s fragrant, honey-sweet flesh—tender yet pleasantly firm, with a juicy, aromatic snap that makes every bite feel sun-warmed.

This compact cantaloupe forms small, well-filled fruits that are ideal for fresh enjoyment, as well as for making smooth, flavorful blends and refreshing pick-me-ups. Grow it for a quick 70-day season and a reliable harvest of richly flavored melons that are as satisfying in the garden as they are on the plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Minnesota Midget

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 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
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

Minnesota Midget is small but loud: high aromatics and a tender-firm, juicy texture that holds up for spoon-eating and for blending into cold, silky drinks. Keep it clean—lime and salt sharpen the fruit, while dairy and salty cured meats make the sweetness feel more complex than just candy.

Best Uses

chill-and-eat spoonfuls with a pinch of salt to wake up the sweetness
smooth blender blends (not icy, more silk-smooth) for quick, aromatic refreshers
brisk fruit-salads where it stays intact and doesn’t collapse

Flavor Profile

honey-sweet melon fragrant, sun-warmed aroma tender-firm bite with juicy snap

Kitchen Pairings

lime mint feta prosciutto chili-lime seasoning plain yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem most often affects Cucumis melo (Minnesota Midget), and how do I treat it?

Cucumber beetles and powdery mildew are common on Cucumis melo. Check leaves weekly and remove beetles by hand early in the morning, then apply an insecticidal soap if you see active feeding; for mildew, improve airflow by training vines upward and remove heavily dusted leaves, and apply a labeled fungicide at the first signs (start before mildew spreads). Avoid wetting the foliage—water at the soil line to slow both mildew and other leaf diseases.

How often should I water Minnesota Midget melon during the main growing phase?

During active vine growth and until ripening begins, keep the soil evenly moist at about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week total, increasing slightly during hot spells. Water deeply in the morning and then let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry before watering again to encourage roots; avoid daily light watering that keeps roots shallow. When fruits start to enlarge, reduce watering once the melons begin to soften slightly near harvest to improve sweetness and limit fruit cracking.

How can I tell when Minnesota Midget melon is ready to harvest (Cucumis melo)?

Harvest when the fruit reaches about 70 days from sowing/planting and the skin changes from dull to more golden and fragrant. Look for a “slip” stage: the blossom end should give slightly and the rind color should deepen; if the fruit doesn’t detach easily, wait 2–3 days and re-check. Also confirm the stem: mature fruit often separates with a gentle twist when ready.