Growing Rockmelon, also Canteloupe

Cucumis melo : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S    
                  T T T
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Rockmelon in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Frost tender

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
26 Mar 14, Carolynne (Australia - tropical climate)
We put all our kitchen scraps in the garden and have very healthy rockmelon leaves coming up. Is it too early to plant them out?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Mar 14, Sachin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is best time to cut rockmelon from plant
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Oct 14, Monica (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Did you know that rock melon ripens after it is harvested? mate u should harvest it when it starts showing the stripes or breaks...
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Mar 14, Marilynn chenhall (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I cook rockmelon flowers the same way as zucchini flowers I got given some of each from the school vege patch
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Mar 14, john hallas (Australia - arid climate)
what do I feed them on, who sells it
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Feb 14, Geoff (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I get some rock-melon seeds for Western beauty Large yellow fruit with orange spots when fully ripe, sweet and juicy?
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Feb 14, Taleatha.Mcfarlane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can you grow rockmelon seeds in a big patch of soil like other plants? Because I have to grow seeds at school I have my own patch of soil where plants have preversly grow in
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Feb 14, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
My new garden is smothered by vines of self germinating rockmelons from the compost bin. Had a tree removed and then enriched the soil with compost for the tomatoes -they are now competing with the rockies. With the unusually hot summer here in Tumut plus some generous seasol they are going gangbusters. Pity my wife doesn't like them .. so our neighbours and I will enjoy them.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Jan 14, My (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If I waited until it is ripe, ant/bird ate before I harvested it. I tried once to harvest before it is ripe, the melon tasted very plain, not sweet. So, how do I prevent bird or ants eat the rock melons before I harvest?
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Sep 14, Sammie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I find placing fake snakes and frogs in your garden help... just move it around the garden every now and then....
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 121 - 130 of 217 comments
See comments for all plants

Liv, yes rockmelons are from the curcurbit family, and need to be pollinated like a pumpkin of zucchini. They have male and female flowers, and I find it easier to pollinate by hand. The females have a small ball thingy on the base of the flower,(obviously, this is a small rockie, waiting to happen), and i take a male flower and press it into the flower of the female. The pollen is more potent when damp, so the early morning is a good time to do this. Often rockies have a small flower hidden under something, and I hand pollinate to make sure I get some rockies, otherwise, it's hit and miss. I'm in Armidale in NSW, and often the weather just isn't warm enough to ripen rockies and watermelon, but with a shadehouse or hothouse, I should get some this year. Good Luck.

- adam synnott

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.