Racing the Bugs and Mildew

I'm growing a variety of cantaloupe called Minnesota Midget, and the first one was delicious! Contrary to what you would think, I'm learning that early varieties of things, if they are not too heat sensitive, actually work really well in the warm climate. This is because they can sometimes out race the rampant bugs and mildew. In the summer, I'm basically always working with the goal of producing a crop before the plant dies off, which is the same goal gardeners have the far north with the short summer.