On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of. Sow 8 to 10 watermelon seeds in a hill, and push seeds 1 inch into the soil. More than 96 countries around the world produce more than 1,200 varieties of watermelons. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than varieties watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family cucurbitaceae. Watermelon seed varieties continue reading growing watermelon in. July and august are the peak season for fresh and juicy watermelons. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may.
Radishes large daikon, spanish, watermelon, etc, fall and winter. Florida and three other statesgeorgia, california, and texas accounted for twothirds of u. Early short season varieties 70 to 75 days blacktail mountain red flesh, dark green rind. Watermelon farms companies in the united states manta. Those bred for a shorter season can mature in as little as 70 days. Watermelon vegetable directory watch your garden grow. Consumers can pick up watermelon in local stores and markets throughout the southeast. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. A helpful reminder to find your healthy eating style. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. Major competition in the market comes from mexico, arizona, and texas. The fruit maturing season is so long that over the 12 to 15 months it takes for one crop to ripen after fruit set, a second crop of valencia oranges is setting and beginning to. Juicy, sweet and large, watermelons are a healthy snack and a garden staple.
Seedless varieties are in increasing demand, and the share of seedless watermelon in total watermelon shipments in the united states increased from 51 percent in 2003 to 83 percent in 2012. Hundreds of farms grow watermelons in an area of over 17,000 hectares throughout the state. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Most california watermelons are marketed in the western united states and canada. Like most gardeners, i love growing just about everything. But for some reason, there is something so neat about growing watermelons. When watermelon is in season in california seasonal food. It is an easytogrow crop which yields incredible flavor and is one of the largest edible fruits. Whats in season typical crop availability in california. The largest producing state, california harvests 83% of the strawberries grown in the u. As we wait impatiently for the first california cantaloupes to harvest in early may we are launching today a new series were calling countdown to california cantaloupe season. Click here for typical crop availability harvest dates in northern. They are the largest annual horticulture crop in texas. Long beach robeks introduces season of watermelon long beach, ca robeks is offering three innovative fresh watermelon menu choices that invite guests to kick back and savor the flavor of the seas.
Surprisingly, the southwestern state of arizona is a major watermelon producing state. Watermelon season runs throughout the summer from may to september but the. Use this helpful north carolina produce calendar to find out when your favorite fruits and vegetables are in. Watermelon is avaialble in the traditional red variety, as well as the lesser known yellow variety. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. Of course, the star of the dish are these watermelon radishes. California watermelon statistics, facts seecalifornia. Hey all, just a quick question, we are huge watermelon fans in this house but it seems 9 out of 10 supermarket melons are dry and gritty and dont have the wonderful fresh watermelon taste. If you thinking of growing watermelon in arizona, this article is for you. It matures in only 78 days and produces 10 pound fruits that measure 11.
California, may, june, july, august, september, october. California has a wonderful climate for growing vegetables, with a whopping 270 days between the last and first frost dates in the season. Watermelon, known botanically as citrullus lanatus, is a tender vegetable that is related to the cucumber and native to africa. Plant seedlings or directsow your watermelon seeds in the southern zones 7 through 11. California cantaloupe farmers are gearing up for the california cantaloupe season coming up in just a few short months. Watermelon grows where there is adequate water and a fertile but sandy soil and while everyone should be pleased that california has a long growing. While the harvest typically begins around july 4, an early summer heat wave prompted watermelon picking in midjune.
California grows about 80% of all fruits and vegetables in the u. California produces approximately 330,000 tons 302 t of watermelon per year 1. Sweet, refreshing georgia watermelon is in a store near you. Cucumber mosaic virus cmv, watermelon production in california watermelon production in california. Growing watermelon in arizona gilbert, queen creek, mesa. Over 1,200 watermelon varieties can be be found and can weigh up to 200 lbs. Best watermelon varieties to plant gardening channel. Thought to originate in africas kalahari desert, watermelons probably were introduced to america by african slaves, according to john egerton, author of southern food. In the united states, the east coast watermelon season has officially started. Watermelon varieties commonly planted in the desert of the southwestern u. Today, china produces the majority of the worlds crop. A sandy, light loam deeply enriched with manure and compost is ideal. This range includes most of the united states, but. Production peaks in august, and the season ends in november.
An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. How to grow watermelons successfully home guides sf gate. The 2019 georgia watermelon season starts vsc news. Search or browse our list of watermelon farms companies by category or location. Florida watermelon shipments archives haul produce.
Its watermelon season here at davison orchards and lance davison tells you all about picking watermelon and how they taste. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. Long beach robeks introduces season of watermelon long. The newer refrigeratorsize small hybrid watermelons are more satisfactory for the average home garden, especially in the northeast, where the growing season is shorter. An az guide to california fruits and vegetables the spruce eats. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originally domesticated in west africa. Commonly used seedless varieties include fandango, super cool, nova, laurel, wonderland, fire cracker. Limited supplies of california watermelons are available beginning in may. Georgia watermelon season kicks off with quality crop. Thats because although peaches can be found in grocery stores for several months, theyre truly in season in the summer, between june and september. In zones 7 and 8, plant watermelon seeds and seedlings in april. There is evidence from seeds in pharaoh tombs of watermelon cultivation in.
Watermelon is synonymous with summer and is served at just about every backyard bbq and 4th of july party you go to. Watermelons are grown in the southern regions of the u. In the subtropical zones 9 through 11, plant watermelon as early as march. If you live in warmer climes, you can sow seeds directly outdoors, but wait until the soil temperature warms to at least 70f to avoid. Fruits in season in the bay area pdf cuesa california produce in season by month, natural resources defense council 10 reasons to support farmers.
Production peaks in august and the season ends in november. Watermelons can be grown in all parts of the country, but the warmer temperatures and longer growing season of southern areas especially favor this vegetable. Fill a blender with scooped or chunked watermelon and 1 cup of raspberries. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. They should be readily available at your local grocery store or farmers market in california right now. Amend soil with organic matter such as compost or composted cow manure. Watermelons are humidity and heatloving plants that produce the largest harvests and sweetest fruits when grown in a. All the watermelon festivals in california we can find are listed on this page. Add a balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen.
How to plant watermelon in the southwest desert ehow. See whats in season when in california, the state that grows 80% of the. Watermelons thrive in full sunlight and sandyloam soils with a ph of 6. Create an appetite for watermelon by promoting it throughout the year. I have grown watermelons for the last 10 years or so in my little backyard garden. These warmseason plants require plenty of sunlight, nutrients and moisture to produce large, watery fruit. Mash the avocado with the lime juice, mixing in enough juice as needed. The 5 most popular are seeded, seedless, mini, yellow and orange flesh. Peak watermelon season is winding down, but keep it in consumers minds by including freshcut options in backtoschool promotions.
California crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables are. Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend may 2325, approaching 1500 truck loads per week. Pour into your container and chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving. The following represents fresh peak season availability of california grown produce. The following charts give the months of the year when various california fruits and vegetables are usually in season. Watermelon is available yearround with peak season in the summer months. White wonder variety produces greenish white flesh, similar to a honeydew melon.
In south florida, watermelon shippers are finishing their season, which is overlapping the early to midmay start of central florida watermelon shipments. These are approximate harvest dates because weather and other factors can affect availability. Looking for a watermelon festival in california in 2020. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. Add cubed watermelon to party trays for fall football tailgates. The peak harvesting season in california runs from april through june, when up to 10 million pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily. With more than 18,000 acres of watermelon harvested on average each year, the state of georgia ranks in the top 4 in the unites states for production among texas, florida and california. Representing 1,500 watermelon growers, shippers and importers nationwide, our goal is to promote the nutritional, culinary and convenience benefits of watermelon. Manta has 7 companies under watermelon farms in california. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing short season varieties.
Watermelon growing and harvest information growing. Every market does not carry every kind of produce in season, but may carry other produce items such as dried fruit see photo at right. Ancient egyptians commemorated watermelons in hieroglyphics. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. California cantaloupe is available in supermarkets and restaurants around the country from april through early december. The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to georgia watermelon. Learn when watermelon is in season in the state of california. The only way i can do it without slicing off my fingers is with a mandoline. Stagger plantings in the long growing season of the southern zones to enjoy watermelon for a longer period. Poquito is one of the best choices for shortseason gardens. The east coast season begins in immokalee, florida and we began a few days earlier. Search or browse our list of watermelon farms companies in california by category or location. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley.
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