Hannah's Choice

Melon

Zone 1a Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Hannah's Choice

🌱 85d to harvest Vine

Sink your senses into Hannah's Choice Crenshaw Melon’s fragrant, honeyed aroma and its luxuriously smooth, salmon-tinged flesh. A…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Jun 1st
Last Frost	Jun 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 15th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Jul 15th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Cucumis melo (melon) and how can I treat it?

A common problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on melon leaves and can reduce fruit size. Start by spacing plants for airflow, watering at the base (not on leaves), and removing badly infected leaves early. If needed, spray a labeled sulfur product or potassium bicarbonate according to the label, and repeat at the interval listed for cucurbits.

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

During active vine growth and fruit set, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, aiming for consistently moist soil in the top 6–8 in (15–20 cm). Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the root zone to swing to fully dry because melon flowers can drop and fruit quality suffers. Once fruits are about to ripen, reduce to lighter, less frequent watering to help flavor and prevent cracking.

How do I know when my Cucumis melo (‘Hannah’s Choice’) is ready to harvest?

Harvest timing is based on scent and slip: look for a strong sweet aroma at the blossom end and a rind color that matches the variety, with the skin becoming less green. Check the stem attachment—when ripe, the melon should detach more easily (“slip” off) with gentle twisting. If it still feels tightly attached and has little fragrance, give it a few more days in full sun.

Sink your senses into Hannah's Choice Crenshaw Melon’s fragrant, honeyed aroma and its luxuriously smooth, salmon-tinged flesh. At maturity, the fruit develops a tender, velvety texture with a sweet, mellow flavor that shines in fresh slices and becomes especially alluring when blended into silky smoothies or spooned into elegant fruit preparations. A gardener’s delight from first bloom to harvest—grow this standout for a showy, garden-ripe melon that feels as beautiful as it tastes.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 12 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Harden seedlings well and transplant only when nights are consistently warm and the soil is well-heated to avoid slow, vine-stunting recovery.