Cantaloupe/Honeydew Crop Guide

Estimated Cost $1500 to $3000 per acre
Market Outlets Food service, wholesale, grocery store, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own
Market Potential Moderate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times
Yield Potential 200- 600 45 lb cartons/ac
Profit Potential $0 to $1,000 per acre
Adapted Areas Statewide
Labor Requirements 1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest; hand harvested.
Equipment Requirements Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, mulch applicator, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system (drip preferred)
Soil Requirements Sandy to medium textured soil with good drainage
Water Requirements 15 to 20 inches water per acre during season
Minimum Size 1 to 10 acres
Risk Factor Moderate to high
Other Limiting Factors Early freeze, weeds, diseases, rain and insects. Must have honey bees for crop pollination. Well adapted to plasticullture and drip irrigation.
Comments Wholesale costs range from 25 to 35 percent for growing and 65 to 75 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.)

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