Melons

Melons are notoriously difficult to grow in Wisconsin’s northern climates, with unreliable flavor if the season is not hot enough. We have focused on short season cantaloupe and galia melons. We have found some good cantaloupe types, and continue to search for galia melons that are commercially available and reliable in Wisconsin.

Table Key

Best disease scores = least disease observed

Best Good Acceptable Poor

Cantaloupe

Divergent (F1)

BREEDER
Vitalis Organic Seeds

DESCRIPTION: Very early. Highest yield in WMARS. Low susceptibility to powdery mildew. Rated best for texture and tied with orange sherbet for flavor in crew evaluation.
SEED AVAILABLE FROM: Johnny’s Selected Seeds  External Link and High Mowing Organic Seeds  External Link

Flavor Production Disease Earliness

First Kiss (F1)

BREEDER
Dr. Brent Loy, University of New Hampshire

DESCRIPTION: Yielded a little less than other cantaloupes but good flavor and very low susceptibility to powdery mildew.
SEED AVAILABLE FROM: High Mowing Organic Seeds  External Link

Flavor Production Disease Earliness

Orange Sherbet (F1)

DESCRIPTION: Very large fruit. Fairly easy for a novice to tell ripeness. Some issues with cracking. Best yielding in Spooner. Moderately susceptible to powdery mildew. Tied with Divergent for flavor in crew evaluation.
SEED AVAILABLE FROM: Multiple companes

Flavor Production Disease Earliness

Dakota Sisters (OP)

BREEDER
Theresa and David Podoll

DESCRIPTION: Early open pollinated melon. Good yield in Madison, lower in Spooner. Susceptible to powdery mildew. Good flavor. Open Source Seed Initiative.
SEED AVAILABLE FROM: Prairie Road Organic Seeds  External Link

Flavor Production Disease Earliness

Serenade (F1)

BREEDER
Johnny’s Selected Seeds

DESCRIPTION: Early and reliable small melon. Good yield in Madison and Spooner. Susceptible to powdery mildew. Good flavor.
SEED AVAILABLE FROM: Johnny’s Selected Seeds  External Link

Flavor Production Disease Earliness