Pride Of Wisconsin

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sun-warmed fragrance rises first—Pride Of Wisconsin cantaloupe delivers a honeyed, muskmelon sweetness with a tender, juicy bite and a softly yielding flesh.

The rind turns to a warm, golden glow at maturity, cradling fragrant orange flesh prized for its fragrant, spoon-ready freshness and for turning into smooth, vibrant purees and preserves. Grow it for a garden-to-table centerpiece that tastes as bright as it looks, with reliable performance reaching harvest in about 80 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Pride Of Wisconsin

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 11th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 14th
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)	70
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This cantaloupe is built for cold, spoon-forward eating—its honeyed sweetness and tender juice shine before they ever hit a pan. If you blend it, keep it clean and fragrant (a quick puree, a squeeze of lime) so the aroma doesn’t get lost.

Best Uses

chilled spoon-fresh eating (quick, no-fuss fruit plate)
fresh fruit salad where it stays crisp and juicy under light dressing
smooth purees or sorbet base
vivid jam/preserve or spoonable compote

Flavor Profile

honeyed muskmelon sweetness fragrant, warm cantaloupe aroma tender juicy bite with softly yielding flesh

Kitchen Pairings

lime mint prosciutto vanilla plain Greek yogurt coconut cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease problem for Cucumis melo (Pride of Wisconsin) and how do I fix it?

In Cucumis melo, powdery mildew is a frequent issue, showing up as white dust on leaves usually after midseason. Improve airflow by spacing plants as directed and avoid wetting the foliage; remove the most heavily affected leaves to slow spread. If it’s worsening, spray with a labeled fungicide for cucurbits (follow label intervals) and keep watering at the base so leaves stay dry.

How often should I water Pride of Wisconsin during the main growing phase?

During the main growing phase (after vines establish and until harvest), keep the root zone evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil. Water deeply 1–3 times per week rather than light daily watering, and stop frequent watering when fruits are nearing full size to reduce splitting and bland flavor. Always water at the base to prevent leaf disease.

How can I tell when Pride of Wisconsin is ready to harvest?

Harvest Pride of Wisconsin (Cucumis melo) at about 80 days from sowing, when the fruit feels fully filled and the skin turns from green toward the mature color. Look for a strong “melon” fragrance near the stem end and a slight color change at the rind where it meets the blossom end. The fruit should slip off the vine with gentle lifting when it’s fully ripe; if it needs pulling hard, give it a few more days.