When does watermelon season start in florida

On a hot summer day, nothing tastes better than a nice slice of watermelon. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Apr, 2010 this summer treat is just about to come in season. More than 1,200 watermelon varieties exist, including rare whitefleshed watermelon, but youll likely find four or five different kinds in the grocery store. Cordele georgia is known as the watermelon capital of the world because of the quality and quantity of watermelons grown in the county. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic farm flavor. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important to getting the most out of your garden. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Vegetable planting calendar planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important to getting the most out of your garden. Always use discretion according to current weather patterns. Florida is famous for its citrus, and rightly so, but plenty of other fruits and vegetables grow in the sunshine state.

Florida is the top of four states texas, georgia, and california. Now 39, willis is the sole proprietor of jfkw farms, growing 150 acres of watermelons and 65 acres of tomatoes. Orlando tangelos make the perfect juicy snack for every occasion. Sullivan, the quality of melon imports has been very good this season with good sizing and color. Florida, the other southern states, and california are all producers of watermelon. Not only are we about to have momentous supply for our partners during a time of increased retail demand, but all regions are producing exceptional quality to kickstart the spring season. Florida watermelon production starts in the immokalee region in midapril and moves to central and northern florida in mid to late may. Florida watermelons are grown in the western parts of the state from north collier county to columbia county watermelon from florida is available from late march until midjuly.

But with the freeze we experienced in early march, our startup with domestic melons will be starting in may. As the demand rises and capacity dwindles, expect to pay a premium price to secure your load. If you are in a cooler zone, start seeds indoors about a month before transplanting. May 24, 2018 slices of sweet, juicy watermelon are a special treat on a hot summer day. Seedless watermelon plants will need to be interplanted with regular seeded watermelon plants, for pollination. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested in florida. 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. Growing honeydew melon from seeds garden season guide. In the subtropical zones 9 through 11, plant watermelon as early as march. With this in mind, the best time to plant watermelon will depend on where you are in the state. Nov 19, 2014 florida watermelon season looking strong 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. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley.

Watermelons trending in central florida growing produce. Watermelons have crisp, juicy flesh thats perfect for summer eating. Watermelon is a fruit that contains seeds, and they can get large. Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida, institute of. 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. Stagger plantings in the long growing season of the southern zones to enjoy watermelon for a longer period. Florida yearly planting schedule warm season vegetables.

Produce shipping season map scarbrough international. Florida crops in season florida department of agriculture. They are great sliced, in fruit salads, and the rind is even used hollowed out as a serving basket or bowl. Florida has a great climate for growing watermelon, and is actually a leading producer for the nation. In florida, fall is an excellent time to start a vegetable garden. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is an iconic summer treat. The us watermelon season has made a good start in terms of production, with florida s fruit quality reportedly high, despite some minor disease pressure. If you want to be certain which harvested fruits are seedless, choose a pollinator that does not closely resemble the type or color of your seedless variety. After slow start, watermelon volume is ramping up in us. Knowing when items are in season is the key to knowing what to look for when shopping. The produce news covering fresh produce around the globe since 1897 florida watermelon season to start in may for william manis the produce news covering fresh produce around the globe since 1897. Not only are we about to have momentous supply for our partners during a time of increased retail demand, but all regions are producing exceptional quality to kick start the spring season.

Florida has a great climate for growing watermelon, and is actually a. Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida. Feb 18, 2018 best offers for your garden when to plant watermelon in florida. And if you have as little as 12 to 16 square feetthats 4 feet by 4 feet, you still have enough space to grow watermelon. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic. Once the fruit sets to tiny marblesized melons, it only takes up to 45 days for those tiny melons to develop into watermelons 10 pounds in size or more. Located in central florida, mcmelon crops are scheduled to start. 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.

Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend may 2325, approaching 1500 truck loads per week. As soon as the temperature hits 6065 degrees fahrenheit or there is no chance of frost again for the season, you can begin to plant watermelon. We also have a page with links to our own simple instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits. In zones 7 and 8, plant watermelon seeds and seedlings in april. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Get a head start on the growing season by planting watermelon seeds in peat pots indoors approximately three to four weeks before the last frost date in your region. The company ships heavily to the midwest and eastern seaboard as well as the south. A warm spring means an early watermelon season for farmers in georgia.

Central florida usually begins harvesting in late april and early may and south florida and. Watermelon is available yearround with peak season in the summer months. However, directly sowing them is recommended as it will give you the best watermelon harvest. South florida gardeners plant watermelon before march 1. Florida watermelon set for early, plentiful harvest packer.

Florida watermelon season to start in may for william manis. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and. Growing conditions for watermelons include lots of sunshine during the day and warm nights. Watermelons are one of our top 5 favorite springsummer crops. Manis was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in plant city, fl. Honeydew melons are some of the easiest fruits to grow from seeds. Also, they are vulnerable to many types of insects and plant diseases. Gardeners in central and south florida can plant earlier in the year, where warmer springtime temperatures make planting ideal from january through march. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. Florida watermelon shipments archives haul produce. Create an appetite for watermelon by promoting it throughout the year. If you live where you have a shorter growing season, it would be a good idea to start your seeds indoors. Watermelon farmers hit the market early this season. But if you have less than 90 growing days, you can still harvest a watermelon.

Fresh from florida watermelons can be found in grocery stores across north america. Consequently, warmer more southern regions offer the best climate for this crop. Vegetable gardening by season university of florida. A guide to early melon varieties mother earth news. Unlike seeds from fruits trees, say apples and apricots, you can enjoy honeydew in as early as 65 to 75 days. The florida watermelon association represents the growers, brokers and associated companies of the watermelon industry in florida. Find out whats in season throughout the year with this helpful florida. Cool season vegetables to plant in october include broccoli, lettuce, carrots, brussels sprouts, and radishes. The watermelon you planted will be ready about 80 or so days after you plant it from seed. Originating in africa, watermelons need a long, warm growing season. Our domestic melon program runs generally from midapril through labor day in september. 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. Watermelon territory starts in south florida, which has an earlier season, and moves up the east coast. Amend soil with aged manure, seaweed, andor compost before planting.

Floridas watermelon season starts in april, peaks in may and june, and. Watermelon vines are very tender and should not be transplanted until all danger of frost has passed. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere central. Sales data from iri show that berry category sales for the week ending march 15 saw an increase of almost 32 percent from the same period in 2019. Watermelon seedspitting contests are a fond memory for past generations, but perhaps a foreign concept for those who have grown up on the seedless varieties most commonly found in grocery stores today. Watermelon is a warm season fruit loved by just about everyone. If youre only familiar with 30pounders that require their own refrigerator shelf, be on the lookout for newer, hybrid mini watermelons. To be safe, wait at least two weeks past your last frost date. All in all, he thinks the company has had a good first half of the growing season. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will. Florida is one the top producing states for watermelons in the u. In the united states, the east coast watermelon season has officially started.

In fact, florida is the only state in the country that produces watermelon from december to april. The time it takes for a watermelon to mature can be anywhere from 65 to 90 days after planting. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. Learn whats in season in florida, from avocados to zucchini, with limes. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originating in west africa. Once all risks of frost have passed, you can transplant the watermelon seedlings into the ground. Florida watermelon season looking strong florida is usually the largest producer of watermelons as growers are able to boast two seasons a year with one during the spring season. Due to the popularity of the local food movement, many restaurants advertise farm fresh items on their menus. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. If youre starting with transplants look for these characteristic gsb. Cucumber beetles and vine borers are the worst watermelon.

In south florida, watermelon shippers are finishing their season, which is overlapping the early to midmay start of central florida watermelon shipments. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. This means, around day 75 or so, depending on how the season was, you can start watching for ripe watermelon. Start watermelon seeds indoors and use black plastic mulch. Florida crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables are normally. Late summer and early fall harvests of watermelon can be found in the southern high plains. Although it is a warm season crop, watermelons do not thrive in extreme heat, high humidity, or soggy soils. Select short season varieties such as million bucks hybrid or orange sunshine hybrid if your growing season is less than 90 days. Because of its extended growing season, it grows best in the warm climate states. Cucumber beetles and vine borers are the worst watermelon pests.

There is evidence from seeds in pharaoh tombs of watermelon cultivation in ancient egypt. First, many of the seasons are the opposite of what they are in more northern states since the summers get too hot for many crops. Peak watermelon season is winding down, but keep it in consumers minds by including freshcut options in backtoschool promotions. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than varieties watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family cucurbitaceae. During the summer, cordele celebrates the watermelon harvest with the annual watermelon days festival. He said it is too early to comment about quality and sizing for this years florida crop. Watermelon farmers hit the market early this season june 11, 2012 at 10. If growing watermelon is a new world to you, its important to know what month to plant and how long it will take.

The florida department of agriculture and consumer services encourages consumers to familiarize themselves with florida grown crops and when they are available by viewing the florida seasonal availability chart above. Perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season, growers say. Come along with me as i plant watermelon in my garden on a trellis and share with you 5 steps to successfully grow watermelon in your backyard. When is watermelon season in texas, florida, california and georgia. This gorgeous fruit wears an extremely thin skin that will zip right off so it can be effortlessly enjoyed. Growing watermelons is a wonderful thing to do, especially if you love fruit in the summertime. Watermelon 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.

If you are a buyer or shipper and planning to book a reefer going to or coming from any of these areas during produce season expect an increase in volume. If youre planting in an area already used for spring and summer crops, be careful to remove. The florida department of agriculture and consumer services encourages consumers to familiarize themselves with floridagrown crops and when they are available by viewing the florida seasonal availability chart above. Florida had capacity challenges while georgia saw slightly better load to truck ratios. South florida watermelons to start shipping early packer. Those in north florida can plant watermelon in march and april and again in july and august. Several kinds of melons grow well in florida, including casaba, honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe. You should plant watermelons when the soil has reached at least 70 degrees fahrenheit. Floridas watermelon season is off to a good start freshplaza.

So does sweet siberian watermelon, which glenn drowns of sand hill preservation. Hall says consumers rising interest in nutrition is good news for watermelon growers. Jun 01, 2010 read the when are juicy watermelons in season. Florida seasonal fruits and vegetables guide the spruce eats.

Mar 17, 2017 perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season, growers say. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. Weve tried many varieties over the years, but the crimson sweet is by far our favorite. This range includes most of the united states, but heat, the growing season length and. Growing honeydew melons from seeds will require full sun. Florida is famous for its citrus, and rightly so, but plenty of other fruits and. Florida watermelon season to start in may for william. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may.