Choose the cultivar with the shortest time from germination to harvest. Ahead of harvest, florida watermelon farmer talks fear amid. In central florida, watermelons can be planted again in august. It thrives in regions with long growing seasons and warm temperatures. All florida department of agriculture and consumer services offices will be closed to the public until may 17 the department is working in collaboration with other state and local officials to ensure the safety of our employees and community.
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. I was recently invited to attend a field day hosted by seminis seed company at its field station in felda, fl. In 20102011, florida growers planted 25,900 acres of watermelons and harvested. Honeydew is a variety of cantaloupe with smooth skin and. Florida is one the top producing states for watermelons in the u. Ahead of harvest, florida watermelon farmer talks fear. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley. Watermelon is a warm season fruit loved by just about everyone. Watermelons have crisp, juicy flesh thats perfect for summer eating. There are a number of different watermelon varieties that will grow in florida. Cucumber beetles and vine borers are the worst watermelon pests. Gardeners with short seasons should prune off any flowers that form during the last 6 to 7 weeks before your first frost date, to encourage existing fruits to ripen in time.
Warmerthanusual growing conditions accelerated maturities and is bringing bigger volume to the market. There are a number of varieties of watermelon that grow well in florida. Those in north florida can plant watermelon in march and april and again in july and august. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 f or above. The watermelon citrullus lanatus is a warm season plant native to africa. You can either sow the seeds directly outside or inside for later transplant, which will add 24 weeks to the growing season. Watermelons require a long, warm growing season and grow best under.
In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere central. Adam marschel, a seminis market manager for the eastern u. In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date. Always use discretion according to current weather patterns. Start watermelon seeds indoors and use black plastic mulch. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and. Pan american produces watermelons start the season in south florida just in time for the spring, then we follow the prime domestic growing seasons through florida, georgia, delaware, and back to florida for fall melons watermelon availability follows the following regions. Florida watermelon set for early, plentiful harvest packer. South florida gardeners plant watermelon before march 1. The sunshine state has been home to watermelon production since the 16th century. Read on to find out about the different varieties as well as how much space you should give these guys and exactly when you should plant. The end of april marks the beginning of watermelon harvest season in central florida, and for growers like andy mcdonald, its especially.
This was part of the companys innovation experience field days, which are hosted in different locations across the country. You will generally get only 2 to 3 watermelons per vine. 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. 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. Florida has a great climate for growing watermelon, and is actually a leading producer for the nation.
With crops in the ground, florida watermelon growers face. 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. Sow watermelon seed directly, or set out your transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date in spring. Perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season, growers say. If you live in a climate with a short growing season, consider starting your watermelon seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting seedlings into the garden. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. Depending on your place in the state and the years growing conditions, growing seasons and crop availability will vary. Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida. In south florida, watermelon shippers are finishing their season, which is overlapping the early to midmay start of central florida watermelon shipments. Although watermelon requires a long growing season, if you start this sprawling plant early enough in the year, you can enjoy its fruits from late summer to early fall. Get inspired by robin sweetsers backyard gardening tips and tricks. The 2018 florida watermelon season posed challenges for most growers that resulted in lower yields and higher fruit prices.
Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend may 2325, approaching 1500 truck loads per week. According to the 2017 usda census of agriculture, levy county has the largest acreage of watermelons in the state, with gilchrist a close second. The best time to plant watermelon in florida is in the early spring and once again in the early fall. This years florida watermelon season is running two weeks earlier than normal. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Florida crops in season florida department of agriculture. Select short season varieties such as million bucks hybrid or orange sunshine hybrid if your growing season is less than 90 days. Floridas watermelon season starts in april, peaks in may and june, and typically ends somewhere around july. Jan 11, 2019 i was recently invited to attend a field day hosted by seminis seed company at its field station in felda, fl.
We are experiencing significantly high call volumes right now. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. We went for 10 days where we picked thousands of watermelons daily. The florida watermelon association represents the growers, brokers and associated companies of the watermelon industry in florida. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. To help you with growing watermelon, our comprehensive guide gives you all the details about planting, harvesting, companion plants and pests. To keep them growing steadily, side dress mid season with a layer of compost. China is now the worlds largest producer of watermelons. Growing watermelons in florida svn saunders ralston dantzler.
If you live in the northern part of the country and have a short growing season, it is best to buy the transplants or start the seeds yourself in peat pots in a controlled environment. Soil should be 70 degrees f or warmer at planting time. Pan american produces watermelons start the season in south florida just in time for the spring, then we follow the prime domestic growing seasons through florida, georgia, delaware, and back to florida for fall melons. Today, varieties of the warmseason annual range from 1pound. 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. They are the largest annual horticulture crop in texas. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested in florida. Sep 24, 2018 the 2018 florida watermelon season posed challenges for most growers that resulted in lower yields and higher fruit prices. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic. Florida is the perfect climate to grow watermelons. Perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season. Gardeners in central and south florida can plant earlier in the year, where warmer springtime temperatures make planting ideal from january through march.
Select shortseason varieties such as million bucks hybrid or orange sunshine hybrid if your growing season is less than 90 days. In fact, florida is the only state in the country that produces watermelon from december to. Watermelons need a long growing season at least 80 days and warm ground for seeds to germinate and grow. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. Children of all ages love the sweet, juicy fruit of these hotweather african natives. Watermelons should be planted in spring after the last average frost date. Once you find farms for sale florida, your watermelons need to be grown in warm weather, temperatures of. Planting watermelons is a great way to use your property and provide a healthy and delicious treat for the summer. Ahead of harvest, watermelon farmers in north florida face uncertainty amid coronavirus on thursday, the monticello chamber of commerce announced the annual watermelon festival in. She and her partner tom have a small greenhouse business and also sell plants, cut flowers, and vegetables at their local farmers market. July and august are the peak season for fresh and juicy watermelons.
Watermelon demands warm temperatures both soil and air. Growing watermelon in florida varieties and when to plant. Give plants a fabulous start to the growing season by improving native soil with several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Hundreds of farms grow watermelons in an area of over 17,000 hectares throughout the state. To keep them growing steadily, side dress midseason with a layer of compost. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination. In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, as long. Whats in season in may 2020, and other timely information. This means, around day 75 or so, depending on how the season was, you can start watching for ripe watermelon. Watermelon fruits vary in size from small to quite large,and in color from dark green to yellow.
We are still shipping orders and intend to stay open during the corona virus outbreak. The watermelon citrullus lanatus is a warmseason plant native to africa. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to. Jul 01, 2016 my husband took me to florida for my first time picking watermelon which is a family tradition every summer. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may.
Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. Robin has been a contributor to the old farmers almanac and the allseasons garden guide for many years. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. Florida watermelon shipments archives haul produce. When is watermelon season in texas, florida, california and georgia.
Watermelons can be grown in florida, but require a large amount of space, on your solution for floridafriendly gardening from the university. However, there are those who believe that watermelon arrived in the united states via african slaves. Apr 18, 2012 this years florida watermelon season is running two weeks earlier than normal. If you live in the northern part of the country and have a short growing season, it is best to buy the transplants or start the seeds yourself in peat pots. How to grow watermelon in the winter home guides sf gate. Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend. Florida has an ideal climate for growing watermelon and is a leading producer of the fruit.
This article will go into detail on growing watermelons in florida and what you need to know. Several kinds of melons grow well in florida, including casaba, honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Best offers for your garden when to plant watermelon in florida. Growing watermelons is a wonderful thing to do, especially if you love fruit in the summertime. Growing watermelons may be started from directly seeding the ground or from transplants purchased from a nursery.
As mentioned, growing watermelons in zone 5 is a challenge but, with some garden tricks, is possible. Florida is famous for its citrus, and rightly so, but plenty of other fruits and vegetables grow in the sunshine state. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. 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. Those delightful oversized melons so common in the united states south are not wellsuited to grow in areas of the country with short summer seasons, but there are some delicious, sweet, well. Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida, institute of. Higher prices save florida watermelon season vsc news. Watermelon availability follows the following regions. More than 20% of the states watermelon crop is produced in these two counties. 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. Florida yearly planting schedule warm season vegetables.
On a hot summer day, nothing tastes better than a nice slice of watermelon. Grown all over florida, it is grown as far north as jackson county and as far south as collier county. Research in florida has shown that the presence of six smooth pigweed plants between watermelon plants throughout the whole season will reduce watermelon yield by 100%. Now 39, willis is the sole proprietor of jfkw farms, growing 150 acres of watermelons and 65 acres of tomatoes. The united states is fourth in world production with florida, texas, california, georgia and arizona consistently leading the country in production. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrientrich, welldrained soil with a ph of 6. However, watermelon plants maintained free of emerging smooth pigweed for four weeks suffer no yield loss as a result of competition from smooth pigweed plants emerging after. Apr 17, 2020 ahead of harvest, watermelon farmers in north florida face uncertainty amid coronavirus on thursday, the monticello chamber of commerce announced the annual watermelon festival in june has been. The tropical climate stretches the growing season yearround and makes florida the source of winter produce for much of the eastern u.
Native to africa, melons need warm temperatures up to 80f during the day and a long growing season. To help you with growing watermelon, our comprehensive guide gives you all the details about planting, harvesting, companion plants and pests to look out for, so you can grow your own fond memories. Growing conditions for watermelons include lots of sunshine during the day and warm nights. They are great sliced, in fruit salads, and the rind is even used hollowed out as a serving basket or bowl. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia.
1086 231 755 950 880 1514 940 1416 419 744 219 1506 405 961 1033 1307 325 985 749 478 301 98 168 61 1078 280 172 137