Nothing says summer like a juicy, sun-ripened melon. Whether you love slicing into a crisp cantaloupe, savoring sweet honeydew, or trying exotic varieties, growing melons in your backyard can be wonderfully rewarding. Better yet, several melon varieties mature quickly — some in as little as 60 days — so you can enjoy homegrown sweetness before the season’s end. If you’re eager for a fast harvest, these seven quick-maturing melon varieties are perfect choices for your garden this summer.
1. Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe
The Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe is a compact, early-ripening variety perfect for small gardens and containers. It matures in just 65 to 70 days, offering sweet, orange-fleshed melons about 4–6 inches in diameter. Despite its small size, the flavor is intense and aromatic, making it a favorite among home growers. Its compact vines are ideal for tight spaces and even trellising. Plant them in full sun with well-drained soil, and you’ll be enjoying these mini melons before you know it.
2. Sugar Baby Watermelon
One of the fastest watermelons to harvest, the Sugar Baby Watermelon reaches full ripeness in just 65 to 75 days. This small, round melon typically weighs 6–10 pounds and boasts deep red, ultra-sweet flesh. Its compact vines make it ideal for backyard gardens or raised beds. Sugar Baby thrives in warm, sunny conditions with regular watering. The fruit’s thin rind and intense flavor make it perfect for summertime picnics, desserts, or fresh juices.
3. Honey Dew Green Flesh
A quick-maturing honeydew variety, the Honey Dew Green Flesh melon typically ripens in 75 to 80 days. It produces smooth, pale green fruits with juicy, sweet flesh and a refreshing, mild flavor. The vines are vigorous yet manageable, suitable for both garden beds and trellises. These melons thrive in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Perfect for summer snacking, fruit salads, or chilled desserts, this melon delivers a crisp, cooling sweetness in record time.
4. Golden Jenny Melon
Golden Jenny is a fast-maturing heirloom melon variety cherished for its speed and flavor. It matures in just 65 to 70 days, producing small to medium-sized fruits with golden-yellow skin and juicy, sweet orange flesh. This variety is highly aromatic, filling your garden with a sweet, fruity scent as it ripens. Golden Jenny is perfect for home gardeners seeking a unique, quick-yielding melon for fresh eating or smoothies. It performs well in warm climates with regular sun and moderate watering.
5. Top Mark Cantaloupe
The Top Mark Cantaloupe is a classic, fast-growing melon known for its heavy yields and delicious flavor. It typically matures in 70 to 80 days, producing medium-sized, netted melons with firm, sweet orange flesh. Top Mark thrives in hot, sunny conditions and is disease-resistant, making it a reliable choice for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. The fruit has excellent texture and aroma, ideal for fruit salads, breakfasts, and chilled summer treats.
6. Early Silver Line Melon
A unique and quick-growing variety, the Early Silver Line Melon ripens in just 60 to 70 days. Originally from India, it produces oval-shaped fruits with smooth, pale yellow skin and sweet, aromatic white flesh. The melons are medium-sized and have a refreshing, crisp texture. This variety adapts well to warm, tropical, and subtropical climates and is known for its disease resistance and heat tolerance. Perfect for home gardeners looking for a distinctive, fast-maturing melon option.
7. Sweet Granite Melon
The Sweet Granite Melon is prized for its exceptionally early harvest, ripening in just 65 to 75 days. Developed in New Hampshire, it’s one of the hardiest and fastest maturing melons available. The melons are small, oval-shaped with smooth, yellow-orange skin and deep orange flesh. Sweet Granite offers a rich, honeyed flavor that’s perfect for fresh eating, desserts, or smoothies. This variety grows well in cooler climates too, making it a versatile choice for quick, reliable summertime harvests.
Final Thoughts
If you’re eager for sweet, sun-kissed flavors without the long wait, these fast-maturing melon varieties are perfect for your garden. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a modest patio plot, these quick growers promise refreshing, juicy harvests in as little as 60 days. Plant them in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, provide plenty of sun and regular watering — and you’ll be enjoying the sweet taste of summer before you know it.
Pro Tip: Melons love heat, so plant them after the last frost and consider using black plastic mulch to warm the soil for an even faster yield.
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