The majority of watermelons consumed in the united states are produced. Saving the sweetest watermelon the south has ever known npr. Plus, one cup of diced watermelon contains 43 calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams of carbohydrate, and 1 gram of fiber. Bsw ships watermelons from south florida, trenton which is where the main facility is located, south georgia, south carolina, north carolina, indiana and missouri. Ive talked in the past about how more people are eating watermelon year round. Florida is usually the largest producer of watermelons as growers are able to boast two seasons a year with one during the spring season and one beginning. I may have mentioned it before, but one of the drawbacks of being a watermelon lover in the northeast is the distinct lack of watermelon festivals in my neck of the woods. Consumers can enjoy more watermelon this season florida. Squash squash blossom tomato watermelon yucca zucchini.
This time i will tell you something about the plant anatomy and morphology of the watermelon. Watermelon seeds hybrids, healthy snacks vegetable. The salt the bradford boasted sweet flesh so coveted, 19thcentury growers turned to guns and poison to thwart thieves. Our favorite way to enjoy them is straight up, and it makes a great summer breakfast with cottage cheese. If you are wanting to book events, set up reservations for the summer, or schedule a meeting to renew your river lots, give us a call or shoot us an. It is the mission of the florida watermelon association to support research, education and promotion of the fresh florida watermelon industry. This means, around day 75 or so, depending on how the season was, you can start watching for ripe watermelon. Watermelon helps keep you hydrated watermelon is 92 percent water. Seriously, if you look at the 2015 festival calendar below, theyre pretty much all in the south. Saving the sweetest watermelon the south has ever known. They were soon flourishing in the rio grande valley, in georgia and florida, and throughout the american southwest.
Neville reid jr, of belle glade, fl, loads watermelons into an empty school. Uf watermelon spray guide 2014 15 university of florida. More than 20% of the states watermelon crop is produced in these two counties. Florida watermelon shipments archives haul produce. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. Florida watermelons are grown in the western parts of the state from north collier county to columbia county. Average yield was 31,000 pounds per acre for a total production of. The florida watermelon association represents the growers, brokers and associated companies of the watermelon industry in florida. Sweet and juicy red flesh make this watermelon an excellent choice for your garden. While the harvest typically begins around july 4, an early summer heat wave prompted watermelon picking in midjune. This year the festival will be held on saturday may 16th, 2015 at destiny community churchs property located off. Perfect for making fruit drinks and watermelon juice. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic.
Floridas sweet corn season lasts for six months, january through june. According to the 2017 usda census of agriculture, levy county has the largest acreage of watermelons in the state, with gilchrist a close second. When is watermelon season in texas, florida, california and georgia. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. In south florida, watermelon shippers are finishing their season, which is overlapping the early to midmay start of central florida watermelon shipments. But there are still a lot of people who, for one reason or another, will only touch a watermelon if the temperature outside is above 80 degrees.
Here in south florida, this watermelon season has been a marked improvement over last year, when we struggled to find good melons. A florida growershipper is ramping up volume for fall watermelons, a relatively new offering. Southern corporate packers increases florida fall watermelons. With crops in the ground, florida watermelon farmers face.
Sullivan, the quality of melon imports has been very good this season with good sizing and color. The 2020 season for camping opens march 27th, weather permitting. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. Enjoy the sweet flavors of summer with this watermelon salsa recipe made with sweet florida watermelon disclosure. Watermelon was the sixth most valuable crop in floridas vegetables, melons and berries sector, and increased in value 10 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to. Its high season for watermelon, and we use two kinds to make a quick and easy dessert. Floridas watermelon season runs four months, april through july according the florida department of agriculture.
Growing watermelons is a wonderful thing to do, especially if you love fruit in the summertime. Before i tell you everything about the plant anatomy and morphology of the watermelon, i will tell you first what anatomy and morphology is. The harvest season is here, so look for the nutritious treat at your local grocery store. Several kinds of melons grow well in florida, including casaba, honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe. At one time, i was the only commercial watermelon producer in hillsborough county, says willis, who left the farm briefly after high school for a stint in the nursery business, but returned to farming in the mid1990s. Floridas blueberry season is coming to an end so you may want to call for pricing and availability before making a trip. The company ships heavily to the midwest and eastern seaboard as well as the south. Find organic, hybrid, mini, orange watermelon seeds, and other highquality vegetable seeds in stock at burpee.
Florida is one the top producing states for watermelons in the u. And what you need to make this summer even sweeter. There is evidence from seeds in pharaoh tombs of watermelon cultivation in. He said it is too early to comment about quality and sizing for this years florida crop. A wide variety of citrus grows in northeast florida, including satsumas. South florida gardeners plant watermelon before march 1. Weve created an in season produce calendar for florida so you can easily see when its the right time to find the freshest cantaloupe or watermelon, or if youve missed citrus season.
The 2015 florida gators football team represented the university of florida in the sport of american football during the 2015 ncaa division i fbs football season. University of florida, institute of food and agricultural sciences extension outreach is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originating in west africa. The gators competed in the football bowl subdivision fbs of the national collegiate athletic association ncaa, and the eastern division of the southeastern conference sec. Optimizing nitrogen rates for watermelon florida department of. The heart of the local watermelon season generally lasts until labor day, but given the early harvest, expect shortages later in the season for fresh local watermelon, reports the sacramento bee. An abundant producer of generally round watermelons in the 50pound range. From avocadoes to guavas, get ready to enjoy whats fresh in august. Cut watermelon should be tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for no more than. Retired school buses now useful at watermelon farms. Watermelon territory starts in south florida, which has an earlier season, and moves up the east coast. Published on jul 29, 2015 its watermelon season here at davison orchards and lance davison tells you all about picking watermelon and how they taste. Browse a wide array of high yielding watermelon seeds at burpee seeds today. Edis is the electronic data information source of ufifas extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to you.
Watermelons trending in central florida growing produce. Georgia melons are mature in early june through midjuly, which means most of the melons on the market around july 4 are going to be georgia melons. Watermelons are a delicious, refreshing snack in hot summer weather, from the fourth of july through labor day. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere central. Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend may 2325, approaching 1500 truck loads per week. Typically, florida growers harvest a spring watermelon deal, usually beginning production in south florida in late. Florida crops in season florida department of agriculture. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% of vitamin a, 21% of vitamin c, 2% of iron, and 1% of calcium needs for the day.
Hall says consumers rising interest in nutrition is good news for watermelon growers. If the seeds have begun to separate from the flesh, or you see white streaks, or large cracks in the flesh, avoid it. Thats right, its not just a summertime snack anymore. Full of cancerbattling lycopene and low in calories, watermelon is a classic summer fruit that works well alone, paired with cheese or mixed into a drink. Watermelons have crisp, juicy flesh thats perfect for summer eating. Fresh from florida watermelons can be found in grocery stores across north america. Print this months shopping list of fresh florida fruits and vegetables and look for them in your grocery store.
Weve created an inseason produce calendar for florida so you can easily see when its the right time to find the freshest cantaloupe or watermelon, or if youve missed citrus season. In in the summer, we want nothing more for dessert than watermelon. Storage store an uncut watermelon for up to a week. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Early reports indicate that florida watermelon growers will have ample volumes of the fruit this year. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. During the 2010 production season, watermelon was the states seventh ranking vegetable crop in terms of value.
My family has been maintaining this watermelon in a little field in sumter, s. It sounds not very fun but i promise you it will be fun. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. Florida watermelon season to start in may for william manis. Watermelon a taste of summer living well in the panhandle. Wolfes produce market riverview, fl photo news 247. In 2015, florida growers planted 21,500 acres of watermelons and harvested 21,000 acres. And, this time of year when watermelon harvesting in sussex county is at. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere. Who doesnt love the sweet taste of a sun ripen watermelon grown with love. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than varieties watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family cucurbitaceae.
580 102 822 913 1210 1061 762 671 14 284 480 272 1252 1115 612 1334 1408 1234 684 1496 31 793 561 854 213 1276 567 1064 1200 1299 230 1321 954 335 503