Watermelon season in florida

Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to. Watermelon publications from university of florida. From watermelon festivals to watermelon races, the fruit is a mainstay in community events. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. 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. 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. Higher prices save florida watermelon season vsc news.

This supports local agriculture and makes produce more available in communities. Planting watermelons is a great way to use your property and provide a healthy and delicious treat for the summer. Florida is the top of four states texas, georgia, and california being the other three that produce over half of the countrys watermelon, and demand for the crop is continually increasing. Florida is famous for its citrus, and rightly so, but plenty of other fruits and vegetables grow in the sunshine state. Florida s watermelon season starts in april, peaks in may and june, and typically ends somewhere around july. Learn whats in season in florida, from avocados to zucchini, with limes. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has created recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. Buy whole watermelon fresh fruit produce vegetables florida grown on free shipping on qualified orders.

Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend. Since 1966 raymon land and family have been feeding people across america the deliciously fresh watermelons they ship each season. Prices for south florida watermelons started at a robust 40 cents per pound but have since dropped to 12 cents amidst a deflated market during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to mark warren, university of floridaifas extension agent. 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. Fresh from florida watermelons can be found in grocery stores across north america. Add watermelon cubes and lime juice to a blender and process until smooth. We provide reliable transportation for the produce industry by building honest and mutually beneficially relationships with trucking companies. When the weather is warm enough early spring, the first thing to decide is what type of watermelon to grow.

A guide to early melon varieties mother earth news. The 2018 florida watermelon season posed challenges for most growers that resulted in lower yields and higher fruit prices. Several kinds of melons grow well in florida, including casaba, honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Florida leads the country in many crops and commodities, and one of the most important and underrated is watermelon.

Warmerthanusual growing conditions accelerated maturities and is. Watermelon can be stored whole for two to three weeks in the fridge or about seven days on the counter. All deer harvested must be reported to the harvest reporting system within 24 hours of harvest. North florida watermelon farmers bracing for unpredictable. Hunting equipment may not be taken onto the area until after 8 a. When is watermelon season in texas, florida, california and georgia. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia.

Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. Find out whats in season throughout the year with this helpful florida. The watermelon season in florida has already soured and a huge chunk of the states crop has yet to be harvested. We do this by building trust and maintaining transparent communication through out the supply chain. If storing cut watermelon, wrap the cut side in plastic or in a sealed container. An abundant producer of generally round watermelons in the 50pound range. Florida watermelon production starts in the immokalee region in. With crops in the ground, florida watermelon growers face. Insect pests are generally less damaging than on other cucurbits. Whats in season in april 2020, and other timely information. Watermelon pond was acquired by the state in 2007 through the gopher tortoise mitigation program. Looking for a watermelon festival in florida in 2020. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may.

Florida yearly planting schedule warm season vegetables. Then, a second season emerges in september and october. Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida, institute of. Many snaped programs work in farmers markets and promote produce. The most important pest groups in florida watermelon production are disease pathogens, particularly viral diseases, and weeds. Our aim is to bring reliable transportation to produce buyers, shippers, and brokers. Snaped also partners with others to bring ebt to more markets. Florida watermelon set for early, plentiful harvest packer. Cattle pastures are being restored with the longleaf pine that once thrived here. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is an iconic summer treat. Watermelon season coming for status transportation, owner.

Florida crops in season florida department of agriculture. Growing watermelons in florida svn saunders ralston dantzler. Floridas watermelon season is off to a good start freshplaza. Watermelons have crisp, juicy flesh thats perfect for summer eating. South florida gardeners plant watermelon before march 1. 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 production sort of moves up the country as it becomes spring, he says. Print this months shopping list of fresh florida fruits and vegetables and look for them in your grocery store.

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 article will go into detail on growing watermelons in florida and what you need to know. In lakeland, florida, the watermelon is arguably on par with the orange as an agricultural star in the sunshine state. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic farm flavor. In the united states, the east coast watermelon season has officially started. Steve nichols, manager of the lakelandbased global produce sales, says that is because the season starts here for u. Florida is a good place to be if you want to grow watermelons. Watermelon pond is home to gopher tortoises, bachmans sparrows, fox squirrels and eastern indigo snakes. Learn whats in season, find new recipes and choose fresh from florida. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. This range includes most of the united states, but heat, the growing season length and. 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.

While its generally considered a summer fruit, growers in florida are lucky enough to be able to plant watermelon for harvest in the winter as well. Watermelon territory starts in south florida, which has an earlier season, and moves up the east coast. The typical season in florida runs through the months of april and may. The true southern watermelon is not to be mentioned with the commoner things. Bob hochmuth, regional specialized extension agent for vegetable crops at the university of florida uf institute of food and agricultural sciences north florida research and education center in suwannee valley discussed. This years florida watermelon season is running two weeks earlier than normal. Demand for the tasty and nutritious fruit that is synonymous with summer continues to increase, especially with highly desirable seedless varieties. The east coast season begins in immokalee, florida and we began a few days earlier than usual for us.

Florida seasonal fruits and vegetables guide the spruce eats. This list of publications was updated december 4, 2018 by robert hochmuth regional specialized extension agent and dustin hart, agricultural associate, north florida research and education centersuwannee valley, live oak, fl. In south florida, watermelon shippers are finishing their season, which is overlapping the early to midmay start of central florida watermelon shipments. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. And yes, they need sundrenched days to produce the rampant vines that manufacture carbohydrates that sweeten the. Averaging 3000 semitruck loads per year, raymon j land watermelon sales is a national leader in wholesome, fresh watermelons. The florida watermelon association represents the growers, brokers and associated companies of the watermelon industry in florida.

See florida hunting regulations handbook for deer harvest reporting instructions. Hall says consumers rising interest in nutrition is good news for watermelon growers. The sunshine state has been home to watermelon production since the 16th century. Watermelons trending in central florida growing produce. Florida is famous for its citrus, and rightly so, but plenty of other fruits and. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. As the largest watermelon grower, packer, and shipper in the u. Billy personally handles all sales and has done so. All the watermelon festivals in florida we can find are listed on this page. 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 pond wildlife and environmental area fwc. Growth in consumption is a prime factor in pushing earnings upward for owner operators and for companies like status transportation during the spring and summer watermelon season. Floridas watermelon season starts in april, peaks in may and june, and typically ends somewhere around july. Grown all over florida, it is grown as far north as jackson county and as far south as collier county.

Florida is one the top producing states for watermelons in the u. Grown all over florida, it is grown as far north as jackson county and as far. Best offers for your garden when to plant watermelon in florida. Finding locally grown fruits and vegetables is a little easier if you know when they are in season, what store to find them in, and how to spot locally grown food easily. Farms in florida provide the perfect climate to grow watermelons. More than 20% of the states watermelon crop is produced in these two counties. Watermelons need to be grown in warm weather in temperatures over 70 degrees. Bsw ships watermelons from south florida, trenton which is where the main facility is located, south georgia, south carolina, north carolina, indiana and missouri. Nutrition educators do food demonstrations and hand out recipes. Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida. Disease pathogens are difficult to manage, and weeds have become more difficult to manage with the loss of methyl bromide. Now 39, willis is the sole proprietor of jfkw farms, growing 150 acres of watermelons and 65 acres of tomatoes. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere central.

Sweet and juicy red flesh make this watermelon an excellent choice for your garden. Florida watermelon shipments archives haul produce. Study the seasonal produce guide printable, and check out the other tips on why its important to eat locally and seasonally. According to the 2017 usda census of agriculture, levy county has the largest acreage of watermelons in the state, with gilchrist a close second.