How to Plant Strawberries and Cantaloupes Together

Overview

Strawberries and cantaloupe pair beautifully in smoothies, soups, and desserts. Both produce runners and can spread aggressively. Plant them together in your garden for a summer of fresh, healthful treats.

Planting Steps

Step 1: Choose a Sunny Site

Select a location with 6+ hours direct sun. Plant after last spring frost.

Step 2: Prepare Soil

Loosen to 6 inches. Remove weeds and roots.

Step 3: Amend Soil

Mix 4 inches composted organic matter and 10-10-10 fertilizer into top 6 inches. Both crops prefer rich, well-drained soil.

Step 4: Plant Strawberries

On a cloudy late afternoon (best for strawberries), transplant 18+ inches apart. Set in holes just covering roots.

Step 5: Mound for Cantaloupe

Form soil mounds for cantaloupe, spacing 4 feet from strawberries and each other.

Step 6: Sow Cantaloupe Seeds

Press 4 seeds per mound at 1-inch depth.

Step 7: Water Schedule

Water immediately, then weekly. Strawberries need 1 inch/week; cantaloupe up to 2 inches.

Step 8: Mulch and Thin

When seedlings have second leaf set, add 1 inch hay/straw mulch. Thin cantaloupe to 2 plants per mound.

Step 9: Fertilize and Manage Blooms

Side-dress cantaloupe with 1 tbsp 4-0-0 fertilizer when runners appear. Remove blossoms from June-bearing strawberries all first season; from everbearing/day-neutral for first 6 weeks to promote runners and future yields.