In the subtropical zones 9 through 11, plant watermelon as early as march. Cucumber beetles and vine borers are the worst watermelon pests. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originating in west africa. Some commercial growers can get the melons out in early summer, ahead of the local. Allergy season 2020 could start in early spring and last until the first frost.
If growing watermelon is a new world to you, its important to know what month to plant and how long it will take. We also like this tool from the texas department of agriculture to find out whats in season. See whats in season when in california, the state that grows 80% of the. When you head to the grocery store chances are pretty good that the nectarines you find will be california grown. 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. Heres when to take medicine for pollen allergies from trees, grass and ragweed. Perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season, growers say. Watermelon growing and harvest information growing. Need information on the price watermelon and when does the season start. Florida, the other southern states, and california are all producers of watermelon.
This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. The following represents fresh peak season availability of california grown produce. A good orange ranks at the top of my favorite fruits.
Calsweet, the most popular openpollinated variety, has striped skin and red flesh. 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. Late summer and early fall harvests of watermelon can be found in the southern high plains. However, if the virus does not enter a field until the time of fruit set, little to no yield difference is likely webb, kok. One of the main reasons is that we are at the start of orange season. I would like to extend our season and have watermelon in our home year round.
If you are in a cooler zone, start seeds indoors about a month before transplanting. I have grown watermelons for the last 10 years or so in my little backyard garden. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. The weird thing people are sprinkling on their watermelon. Use this helpful north carolina produce calendar to find out when your favorite fruits and vegetables are in season. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of september, and california. Learn when to find the freshest sweet corn or if youve missed blueberry. If youre only familiar with 30pounders that require their own refrigerator shelf, be on the lookout for newer, hybrid mini watermelons. California watermelon statistics, facts seecalifornia.
Seeded watermelon varieties germinate in temperatures over 55 degrees fahrenheit. How to grow sugar baby watermelon guide to growing sugar. Produce shipping season map scarbrough international. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables and fruit. If nights are cool, use hot caps to protect the plants.
This year, california cantaloupe harvest in the southern desert of the state will last from early may through june. A simple list of seasonal fruit and vegetables for south africa. The four states with the highest watermelon production were texas, florida, georgia and california, respectively, in 2000. Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. 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. An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. While the harvest typically begins around july 4, an early summer heat wave prompted watermelon picking in midjune. Watermelon farmers hit the market early this season. Although it is a warm season crop, watermelons do not thrive in extreme heat, high humidity, or soggy soils. Because of its extended growing season, it grows best in the warm climate states. Produce season in the united states typically begins in april and runs through the end of july. As with much of the fruit we eat in the united states, the story all begins in california. May 11, 2017 watermelon is a summertime staple, and if youre like me, you live for the point when the sweet fruit is finally in season. Seedless watermelon plants will need to be interplanted with regular seeded watermelon plants, for pollination.
An az guide to california fruits and vegetables the spruce eats. To be safe, wait at least two weeks past your last frost date. Jun 01, 2010 read the when are juicy watermelons in season. The largest producing state, california harvests 83% of the strawberries grown in the u.
Watermelon is synonymous with summer and is served at just about every backyard bbq and 4 th of july party you go to. As you can see, the watermelon season for every state occurs during the warmer months, but each states specific time periods are a little different. Windbreaks can be installed around watermelon plants to protect them from floridas occasional cool spring winds. Trader joes chile lime seasoning blend hit stores last year, but if you havent picked it up yet, dont feel bad.
A warm spring means an early watermelon season for farmers in georgia. California crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables. The soil must be warm and the weather settled with warm days and nights, as the plants are sensitive to cooler weather. This chart will give you a general idea of the items that can typically be found in each month, but every year. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than varieties. These are approximate harvest dates because weather and other factors can affect. Watermelon vines are very tender and should not be transplanted until all danger of frost has passed. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of.
By starting your seeds indoors, you shave off as much as three weeks off the outdoor growing time. Watermelon hits its prime in august, sweetening backyard barbecues, lazyday picnics on the grass, and beach parties. Watermelons thrive in welldrained, sandy soils rich in organic material. Jun 27, 2016 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. California cantaloupe farmers are gearing up for the california cantaloupe season coming up in just a few short months. More than 1,200 watermelon varieties exist, including rare whitefleshed watermelon, but youll likely find four or five different kinds in the grocery store. Commonly used seedless varieties include fandango, super cool, nova, laurel, wonderland, fire cracker. Its colorful, sweet, crunchy, refreshing, and portable. Sugar baby melons, like all watermelons, require warm, dry temperatures to thrive. California grows about 80% of all fruits and vegetables in the u.
Their watermelon season includes all of june, july, august and september. Click here for typical crop availability harvest dates in northern. 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. A guide to marylands seasonal fruits and vegetables. This list shows when fruits and vegetables are in season. Sugar baby is an early season watermelon, coming to maturity approximately 75 days after germination. Consequently, warmer more southern regions offer the best climate for this crop. Jun 07, 2017 thats because although peaches can be found in grocery stores for several months, theyre truly in season in the summer, between june and september. Planting calendar for bakersfield, ca old farmers almanac.
Feeding your watermelons the correct type and amount of fertilizer helps them grow large and juicy. They do best in mediterranean climates where the vines spread out. Create an appetite for watermelon by promoting it throughout the year. If you thinking of growing watermelon in arizona, this article is for you. These are approximate harvest dates because weather and other factors can affect availability. Limited supplies of california watermelons are available beginning in may. Looking for a watermelon festival in california in 2020. Depending on the specific area in australia, watermelon is in season during the late summer and early autumn. 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. All the watermelon festivals in california we can find are listed on this page. Growing your own watermelons ensures they are organic and have the best flavor. In this post i will talk all about the orange season, when it begins, when it ends, and everything in between. Produce shipping season is the busiest time of year in regards to domestic shipping. California produce in season by month, natural resources defense council.
Florida watermelon set for early, plentiful harvest packer. Slices of sweet, juicy watermelon are a special treat on a hot summer day. Growing watermelon in arizona gilbert, queen creek, mesa. From there, they stagger the germination process through the month of march to ensure a steady harvest, starting off that long cantaloupe season all of us california cantaloupe lovers enjoy. But apparently, theres a way to make watermelon even better. California produces approximately 330,000 tons 302 t of watermelon per year 1. Watermelon consumption and production in the united states has been on the rise in the last few decades. It boasts an unbeatable combination for long, hot days. Every market does not carry every kind of produce in season, but may carry. July, which is also watermelon month, is a perfect time for biting into a juicy wedge of watermelon during a lazy summer picnic. The following charts give the months of the year when various california fruits and vegetables are usually in season. This range includes most of the united states, but heat, the growing season length and. In zones 7 and 8, plant watermelon seeds and seedlings in april. When does orange and mandarin season begin and end.
The small size of the fruits, and relatively short time to harvest, make sugar baby on of the easier varieties to cultivate. Make room in the fridge for these fruits that offer a slice of summer. Watermelon growing and harvest information growing vegetables. Like most gardeners, i love growing just about everything. Though watermelon is commonly considered as a fruit it is actually a vegetable.
Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic. Cherries are only available for a limited time during the year. South florida gardeners plant watermelon before march 1. What type of fertilizer does watermelon take to grow right. Click below to see whats typically in season each month, or visit the lakeline or mueller facebook page on fridays to see what vendors are bringing that weekend. Also, they are vulnerable to many types of insects and plant diseases. My wife and i eat watermelon as an integral part of our diet.
Infection early in the season results in yield loss and reduced fruit quality because of blemishes, particularly rings and spots on the watermelon rind. How to grow sugar baby watermelon guide to growing sugar baby watermelon. 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. That is, you may not be able to get something locally, but even buying nationally keeps you in touch with the hemispheres seasons, which is something. May 24, 2018 slices of sweet, juicy watermelon are a special treat on a hot summer day. A slice of cool, crisp watermelon is a delicious summer treat. Year round you can find apples, oranges, peaches, bananas, etc. Watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family cucurbitaceae. This early watermelon cultivar was first introduced in 1956 and is an early maturing variety, maturing in 7580 days.
Production peaks in august, and the season ends in november. Stemilt expects to have a 40 to 50day season in california. California crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables are. Originating in africa, watermelons need a long, warm growing season. But for some reason, there is something so neat about growing watermelons. Please remember that harvest season is never exact. Shippers should expect to see tightened reefer capacity and higher reefer rates during produce season as temperaturecontrolled cargo increases across the u. Watermelon is available yearround with peak season in the summer months. Peak watermelon season is winding down, but keep it in consumers minds by including freshcut options in backtoschool promotions. Start watermelon seeds indoors and use black plastic mulch. The peak harvesting season in california runs from april through june, when up to 10 million pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily. To get a head start on the long growing season, start plants indoors 4 to 5 weeks before outdoor planting time. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may.
Heat in californias sacramento valley produced an early and short watermelon season. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Stagger plantings in the long growing season of the southern zones to enjoy watermelon for a longer period. Seasonal chart produce express of sacramento, california. Radishes large daikon, spanish, watermelon, etc, fall and winter. Stemilts 2020 californiacherry shipments should start the last week of april or in early may. Amend soil with aged manure, seaweed, andor compost before planting. Maryland offers an amazing variety of produce for such a small state.
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