Muskmelon, also known as cantaloupe, is a fruit of the species Cucumis melo. It is sweet and has a high water content. It is a summer fruit, and many people like to eat it in the summer heat wave due to its cooling properties. It has a hard cover and with netted outer covering, but it is soft and juicy on the inner part. A muskmelon weighs around 1 to 2 kg, and also depends on its seed types and varieties. Muskmelon has different varieties and colors – orange, white, and green.
There is less competition in melon farming, due to which it gets a good rate in the market. This crop is ready in 50-80 days and is harvested in one go, which gives quick profit to the farmers.
When to sow muskmelon?
As you know, it is a summer fruit, so we have to sow it earlier. The best time to sow muskmelon seeds is typically between December to March in North India. Mid-February is considered the most ideal for most regions. In the Southern and Central parts of India, it is sown often between October and November. February-March is the best time for beginners, while experienced farmers can do early sowing in November.
How to sow muskmelon?
Cultivating muskmelon with drip, mulching, and bed method. Many farmers do not grow it due to the fear of fruit fly disease, whereas it can be prevented with proper control.
Soil and weather:
This crop can be grown in almost every type of soil, whether it is sandy or loamy. It is better to plant it at the time of wheat harvesting so that the crop is ready before the rains.
Field preparation:
If there is a system of drip and mulching, then adopt the bed method. Otherwise, farming can also be done by the traditional method. Keep a distance of 6-8 feet between the beds or drains.
Muskmelon seed varieties:
There are many varieties of muskmelon seeds according to the regions, but the most popular are Hara Madhu, Punjab Sunehri, Kajri, Guru, Kundan, Muskan, Khushboo, Mishri, and Pusa Sharbati. Many brands produce muskmelon seeds, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
When is a muskmelon Ripe?
Muskmelon starts ripening after 60 days of sowing. Its ripening also depends on its seed types. Some muskmelon varieties take even more days to ripen. Mostly, they started ripening in April and May. The muskmelon that ripens in May has a sweeter and natural taste. However, some farmers use fruit ripening drugs (primarily ethylene and calcium carbide) to artificially ripen fruits to get early profit.
When to pick or harvest muskmelon?
When the muskmelon’s outer cover changes color from green to light yellow, it means the muskmelon is ready to harvest. Picking muskmelons is a daunting and hard task. The farmer needs manpower to pick and collect all the fruit that is ready to go to the market. They find and pick each muskmelon by hand because there are some unripe green muskmelons in the field.
Melons are packed in net bags and then taken to the market for sale. The price of melons fluctuates every year. In 2025, their price ranged from ₹10 to ₹14 per kilogram. Melons are harvested daily or every two days.
