How to Grow Burpee's Crenshaw Melon
Burpee's Crenshaw Melon
Cucumis melo var. inodorus
fruitBurpee's Crenshaw is a netted, orange-fleshed melon with a sweet, complex flavor and creamy texture. This hybrid variety produces large, 4-5 lb melons with a distinctive wrinkled rind and excellent disease resistance. It's a favorite for home gardeners seeking superior taste and reliable production.
When should you plant Burpee's Crenshaw Melon in your zone?
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Example Burpee's Crenshaw Melon timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Burpee's Crenshaw Melon
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Burpee's Crenshaw Melon
Around Jul 11≈ 85 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burpee's Crenshaw Melon dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10, but can be grown anywhere with 80+ warm days and frost protection
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Get my Burpee's Crenshaw Melon timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTrue leaves emerge within 7-10 days; cotyledons are followed by heart-shaped leaves.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide 14+ hours of light if growing indoors. Thin to strongest seedling per cell.
Vegetative/Vine Growth
3-4 weeksVigorous vining growth with large lobed leaves; plant spreads 6-8 feet if trellised or sprawls widely on ground.
Support vines on sturdy trellis if space-limited; use soft ties. Fertilize with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Maintain consistent moisture.
Flowering
2-3 weeksYellow flowers appear in leaf axils; female flowers (with small melon behind) are followed by male flowers.
Ensure good pollination by attracting bees or hand-pollinating with small brush. Reduce nitrogen to encourage flowering over vine growth. Keep foliage dry.
Fruit Development & Maturation
4-5 weeksMelons swell rapidly; netting develops on rind, turning from green to beige-tan. Flesh gradually yellows inside.
Place straw or cardboard under developing fruit to prevent rot. Thin excess fruit (leave 1-2 per vine) for larger melons. Reduce watering slightly to concentrate sugars.
Harvest-Ready
Variable; peak harvest is 1-2 week windowRind is fully netted and slightly yielding at the blossom end; strong aromatic fragrance develops.
Monitor daily for ripeness. Harvest when vine slips easily or use abscission zone test (gentle twist). Store at 70°F for 1-2 days before refrigeration.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove egg clusters by hand; use row covers early season; apply neem oil or spinosad if heavy infestation
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Use row covers until flowering; apply kaolin clay spray; trap with yellow sticky cards; use spinosad if necessary
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or fungicide at first sign; prune lower leaves
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Spray strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use reflective mulch; encourage natural predators
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Increase humidity; spray with water; apply neem oil or miticide in severe cases
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryBurpee's Crenshaw is prized for its sweet, complex flavor with subtle notes of cucumber and cantaloupe. Perfect for fresh eating out of hand, in fruit salads, smoothies, and elegant dessert presentations. [source]
Cantaloupe alternative
CulinaryWith superior taste to common cantaloupes, Crenshaw melons serve as a gourmet substitute in any recipe calling for cantaloupe, including savory melon and prosciutto dishes. [source]
Hydration and nutrients
MedicinalHigh water content (90%) aids hydration; rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and beta-carotene. Supports immune function and contains compounds with antioxidant properties. [source]
Natural skin care
HouseholdMelon flesh can be used in face masks due to its enzyme content and hydrating properties. The vitamin A content supports skin health and radiance. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeAbundant yellow flowers provide excellent nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when melon releases a sweet fragrance, the blossom end yields slightly to pressure, and the stem slips off with gentle twisting. The full net pattern should be visible. Peak ripeness occurs in early morning. Cut or twist the melon cleanly from the vine. Melons do not ripen further after picking, so harvest only when fully ripe.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Crenshaw' is a portmanteau combining 'Cranshaw' (an heirloom variety) and 'Casaba,' reflecting its hybrid heritage developed in the 1920s.
- 🌱 Burpee's Crenshaw is one of the few melons that develops a distinctive fragrance only when fully ripe—professional melon buyers often select by aroma rather than appearance.
- 🌱 The netted rind pattern serves as a protective barrier; unlike smooth-skinned melons, Crenshaw's net actually reduces cracking and improves storage quality.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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