Watermelon season in california

Like most gardeners, i love growing just about everything. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. More than 96 countries around the world produce more than 1,200 varieties of watermelons. The 2019 georgia watermelon season starts vsc news. Watermelon growing and harvest information growing. 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.

Ancient egyptians commemorated watermelons in hieroglyphics. Over 1,200 watermelon varieties can be be found and can weigh up to 200 lbs. Early short season varieties 70 to 75 days blacktail mountain red flesh, dark green rind. Cucumber mosaic virus cmv, watermelon production in california watermelon production in california. California cantaloupe is available in supermarkets and restaurants around the country from april through early december. The newer refrigeratorsize small hybrid watermelons are more satisfactory for the average home garden, especially in the northeast, where the growing season is shorter. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originally domesticated in west africa.

In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. This range includes most of the united states, but. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. Overall, florida is shipping high volumes of watermelons and as we near the memorial holiday weekend may 2325, approaching 1500 truck loads per week. In south florida, watermelon shippers are finishing their season, which is overlapping the early to midmay start of central florida watermelon shipments.

Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. Thought to originate in africas kalahari desert, watermelons probably were introduced to america by african slaves, according to john egerton, author of southern food. How to grow watermelons successfully home guides sf gate. While the harvest typically begins around july 4, an early summer heat wave prompted watermelon picking in midjune. 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. But for some reason, there is something so neat about growing watermelons. Pour into your container and chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. The only way i can do it without slicing off my fingers is with a mandoline. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of. Hundreds of farms grow watermelons in an area of over 17,000 hectares throughout the state. California crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables are.

Those bred for a shorter season can mature in as little as 70 days. 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. If you thinking of growing watermelon in arizona, this article is for you. Plant seedlings or directsow your watermelon seeds in the southern zones 7 through 11.

Learn when watermelon is in season in the state of california. Watermelons thrive in full sunlight and sandyloam soils with a ph of 6. In the united states, the east coast watermelon season has officially started. California watermelon statistics, facts seecalifornia. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley. Add a balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Mash the avocado with the lime juice, mixing in enough juice as needed. These warmseason plants require plenty of sunlight, nutrients and moisture to produce large, watery fruit. Surprisingly, the southwestern state of arizona is a major watermelon producing state. They should be readily available at your local grocery store or farmers market in california right now. Florida and three other statesgeorgia, california, and texas accounted for twothirds of u. Production peaks in august, and the season ends in november. Best watermelon varieties to plant gardening channel. I have grown watermelons for the last 10 years or so in my little backyard garden.

Add cubed watermelon to party trays for fall football tailgates. Fill a blender with scooped or chunked watermelon and 1 cup of raspberries. California produces approximately 330,000 tons 302 t of watermelon per year 1. See whats in season when in california, the state that grows 80% of the. In zones 7 and 8, plant watermelon seeds and seedlings in april. It is an easytogrow crop which yields incredible flavor and is one of the largest edible fruits. Create an appetite for watermelon by promoting it throughout the year. 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. 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. The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to georgia watermelon.

There is evidence from seeds in pharaoh tombs of watermelon cultivation in. 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. Whats in season typical crop availability in california. Watermelon, known botanically as citrullus lanatus, is a tender vegetable that is related to the cucumber and native to africa. Today, china produces the majority of the worlds crop. Juicy, sweet and large, watermelons are a healthy snack and a garden staple. Representing 1,500 watermelon growers, shippers and importers nationwide, our goal is to promote the nutritional, culinary and convenience benefits of watermelon. The 5 most popular are seeded, seedless, mini, yellow and orange flesh.

Watermelon seed varieties continue reading growing watermelon in. Commonly used seedless varieties include fandango, super cool, nova, laurel, wonderland, fire cracker. California has a wonderful climate for growing vegetables, with a whopping 270 days between the last and first frost dates in the season. 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 short season varieties. July and august are the peak season for fresh and juicy watermelons. All the watermelon festivals in california we can find are listed on this page. Click here for typical crop availability harvest dates in northern. Poquito is one of the best choices for shortseason gardens.

California cantaloupe farmers are gearing up for the california cantaloupe season coming up in just a few short months. Of course, the star of the dish are these watermelon radishes. Watermelon season runs throughout the summer from may to september but the. Consumers can pick up watermelon in local stores and markets throughout the southeast. How to plant watermelon in the southwest desert ehow. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. Limited supplies of california watermelons are available beginning in may. 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. California, may, june, july, august, september, october. Radishes large daikon, spanish, watermelon, etc, fall and winter. Watermelon varieties commonly planted in the desert of the southwestern u. Search or browse our list of watermelon farms companies in california by category or location. Sweet, refreshing georgia watermelon is in a store near you.

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. Peak watermelon season is winding down, but keep it in consumers minds by including freshcut options in backtoschool promotions. A helpful reminder to find your healthy eating style. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august.

Growing watermelon in arizona gilbert, queen creek, mesa. In the subtropical zones 9 through 11, plant watermelon as early as march. These are approximate harvest dates because weather and other factors can affect availability. Use this helpful north carolina produce calendar to find out when your favorite fruits and vegetables are in. Production peaks in august and the season ends in november. Search or browse our list of watermelon farms companies by category or location. Amend soil with organic matter such as compost or composted cow manure. The peak harvesting season in california runs from april through june, when up to 10 million pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily. California grows about 80% of all fruits and vegetables in the u.

A sandy, light loam deeply enriched with manure and compost is ideal. They are the largest annual horticulture crop in texas. Sow 8 to 10 watermelon seeds in a hill, and push seeds 1 inch into the soil. Watermelons are grown in the southern regions of 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. When watermelon is in season in california seasonal food.

An az guide to california fruits and vegetables the spruce eats. Manta has 7 companies under watermelon farms in california. Thats because although peaches can be found in grocery stores for several months, theyre truly in season in the summer, between june and september. Most california watermelons are marketed in the western united states and canada. Watermelon is synonymous with summer and is served at just about every backyard bbq and 4th of july party you go to. Long beach robeks introduces season of watermelon long. Looking for a watermelon festival in california in 2020. Watermelon is available yearround with peak season in the summer months. An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. Fruits in season in the bay area pdf cuesa california produce in season by month, natural resources defense council 10 reasons to support farmers. The largest producing state, california harvests 83% of the strawberries grown in the u. The east coast season begins in immokalee, florida and we began a few days earlier. 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.

Stagger plantings in the long growing season of the southern zones to enjoy watermelon for a longer period. Watermelon vegetable directory watch your garden grow. It matures in only 78 days and produces 10 pound fruits that measure 11. Watermelon farms companies in the united states manta. Major competition in the market comes from mexico, arizona, and texas. Georgia watermelon season kicks off with quality crop. The following represents fresh peak season availability of california grown produce.