Growing Season and Best Time to Harvest Cantaloupe in California
For those that live in California you might be able to enjoy a lot of local produce which is very fresh as they are harvested during peak season. One of my most favorite is cantaloupe which is very juicy and sweet. So, you might be wondering when the best time to harvest cantaloupe in California is.
Growing Season and Best Time to Harvest Cantaloupe in California
Growing Season First thing that you need to know is the growing season for cantaloupe. In California, you will be able to start growing this plant in late April right when final winter frost ends. Because California has a very warm climate which is consistent throughout the year, the growing season in this area tends to be very long. It can go from July until early October. Because of this long growing season, the cantaloupe that is planted in California becomes very rich and tasty. You will not be able to get similar ripeness and taste in other areas since they only have a month or maximum 2 months of growing season.
Peak Time For cantaloupe the peak time usually happens in late summer starting from August to September. In this period the cantaloupe will get its rich taste and is in its prime so it becomes the best time to harvest cantaloupe in California. If you harvest cantaloupe during its prime then you will get uniform softness on the meat. The fruit will also become more fragrant and inviting while the taste becomes very sweet. Their color will change into a golden cream color which shows that the cantaloupe is ready to be harvested.
Harvest Time Since California has a long growing season, then the best time to harvest cantaloupe in California also comes multiple times in a year. The first harvest time is around April and lasts until early June. This time, the cantaloupe that is in the southern desert which has a dry and hot climate will be ready to harvest. Then the second harvest time starts in June and lasts until October. This time, the cantaloupe that is in western San Joaquin is ready to be harvested. Then lastly, the third harvest time starts around the middle of October and lasts until early December when the southern desert area becomes warm again and ready for another harvest.
Reason California is great for cantaloupe California is very hot and dry during summer while only mild winters. That is why California is great for cantaloupe to grow. Furthermore, soil in the California region is also very suitable to support cantaloupe growth. Because of the rich soil and warm climate, it makes the cantaloupe grown in California rich in flavor, more juicy and sweet. That is why the region has more than 75% of the total supply for cantaloupe domestically. In fact 40% of those is produced in Fresno County.
As you can see, the best time to harvest cantaloupe in California turns out to be very long which could last for months. Especially since California itself has the best climate and soil to grow cantaloupe so the region has abundant yield which makes up the majority of the country’s cantaloupe supply.