Watermelon season in georgia

There is evidence from seeds in pharaoh tombs of watermelon cultivation in ancient egypt. The weather for this years growing season has been good so far, said georgia watermelon association gwa president rob greene. 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. Grown all over florida, it is grown as far north as jackson county and as far south as collier county. It is also the time of watermelon plentitude and the vendors are flooded by them. Watermelon territory starts in south florida, which has an earlier season, and moves up the east coast. Late summer and early fall harvests of watermelon can be found in the southern high plains. Healthy harvest farms llc is with jody sommer horton and 2 others. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing short season varieties. Georgia watermelon growers had a successful crop for the 2017 season.

Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables and fruit. Cut watermelon should be tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for no more than. The area of jamaica is st elizabeth parrish near the southcoast. The long, hot georgia summer is perfect for growing this mouthwatering, refreshing, sweet and tasty fruit. The company also grows watermelon in georgia, missouri, indiana and delaware, which enables the company to have melons available through. If the seeds have begun to separate from the flesh, or you see white streaks, or large cracks in the flesh, avoid it. Watermelons are notoriously finicky when it comes to transplanting.

Although georgiagrown melons are available locally throughout the season, the majority of the states melons are exported to northern states and canada. Sow 8 to 10 watermelon seeds in a hill, and push seeds 1 inch into the soil. Watermelon farmers hit the market early this season. As is the case with other summer melons, watermelons need a long, hot season to develop. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. And what better time to celebrate the watermelon capital than smack dab in the middle of summer. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Consisting of 92 percent water, they are 100 percent delicious and nutritious, as a typicallysized slice contains about 85 calories. Since 1966 raymon land and family have been feeding people across america the deliciously fresh watermelons they ship each season. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley. Sweet, refreshing georgia watermelon is in a store near you.

Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. The sunshine state has been home to watermelon production since the 16th century. It might be common knowledge for many georgians by now that we have one small town which has been dubbed the watermelon capital of the world. A warm season crop related to cantaloupe, cucumber and pumpkin, most watermelons are grown in central georgia or along our southern coastal plains. For one georgia farmer, the watermelon season lasts from june 10week of july 4. The peak harvest season is from late may through midjuly. The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to georgia watermelon. After two years of extreme weather during their season, georgia watermelon growers are reporting smooth sailing overall acreage is down, but yields and quality are up, according to a news. Georgias watermelon season begins university of georgia. Grow heirloom watermelons georgia rattlesnake watermelon seeds. Georgia rattlesnake watermelon flesh is bright pink and sweeter than sweet. Averaging 3000 semitruck loads per year, raymon j land watermelon sales is a national leader in wholesome, fresh watermelons.

A warmseason crop related to cantaloupe, cucumber and pumpkin, most watermelons are grown in central georgia or along our southern coastal plains. Cordele celebrates 70th annual watermelon days festival. The purpose of the association is to promote the best interest of the industry from production to consumption. Youll find an alphabetical listing of seasonal fruits and vegetables grown in georgia and their approximate harvest seasons below. Samantha kilgore, executive director of the georgia watermelon association, said the season was good all around. Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings to the gardenall customized to your location. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. Of course, it varies a little bit every year, depending upon the weather and other conditions. This june, cordele celebrates its claim as the watermelon capitol of the world with the 70th annual watermelon days festival. It is known for the green and white stripes that resemble the pattern of a rattlesnake. Georgia watermelon season kicks off with a quality crop expected to have the crispest, sweetest, most refreshing flavor. Planting for georgia s watermelon crop begins in march. Cordele georgia is known as the watermelon capital of the world because of the quality and quantity of watermelons grown in the county. The small georgia town that transforms into a watermelon wonderland each year.

These should have watermelon ready for harvest in april. Amend soil with organic matter such as compost or composted cow manure. The 2019 georgia watermelon season starts vsc news. As the largest watermelon grower, packer, and shipper in the u. Planting calendar for places in georgia old farmers almanac. Watermelon is a warm season vegetable in the cucurbiteae family. We went for 10 days where we picked thousands of watermelons daily. Georgia summers are very hot and dry for the most part. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originating in west africa.

It requires a lot of space, sunshine, water and nutrients. Ben drennan, the balloonmeister of the event, looks forward to. Of course, watermelons are nothing new to most of uspeople of global trade, but you should try georgian watermelons at the end of summerbeginning of autumn and you will reshape your attitudes toward this juicy berry. Our georgia crop is coming to an end, this is the awesome group that somehow got the melons from the fields to the grocery stores. The florida watermelon association represents the growers, brokers and associated companies of the watermelon industry in florida. 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. Georgia has the perfect climate to produce a consistent crop with good yields and sweet melons. Also known as gypsy, this watermelon variety was developed in georgia around the 1830s.

And like his fellow producers, rutland is uncertain as to what to expect from this years crop, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike the past two years, the weather this year has been cooperative for producers and a great crop is expected. Increases in average yield per acre will continue as more growers adopt. Georgia cantaloupe is available from may through october. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme. Rind is tough, making it a good choice for farmers markets, picnics and enjoying at. For this reason this is the first watermelon that i planted in our garden in jamaica. A warm spring means an early watermelon season for farmers in georgia.

Most watermelons are grown primarily in and around crisp county near the city of cordele. Fresh from florida watermelons can be found in grocery stores across north america. The small georgia town that transforms into a watermelon. If you have extra room in the garden, watermelons can be. Cordele, in crisp county, has the largest melon market in the state and is considered the heart of the georgia watermelon industry. These are the typical, historical dates that crops are ready to be picked or harvested in georgia. Kids have been spitting the seeds from this old southern favorite since the 1830s.

Growing georgia posted a story this week noting that the official season for georgia watermelons has begun. As georgia residents know, there is more to seasonal produce in the peach state than peaches. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic. Ours usually ripen in late july and into august, and it is always worth the wait. Florida watermelon shipments archives haul produce. Florida watermelon set for early, plentiful harvest packer. Add a balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. She spoke with agnet medias josh mcgill in october at the produce marketing associations 2017 fresh summit in new orleans, louisiana. On the other hand, georgia s watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of. Greene is owner of lime creek farms in arabi, georgia. Children of all ages love the sweet, juicy fruit of these hotweather african natives. Georgia watermelon season kicks off with quality crop. 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 is a warmseason crop related to cantaloupe, squash, cucumber and pumpkin. It is getting hot quickly, and that is watermelon weather. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. If you have extra room in the garden, watermelons can be fun and interesting to grow. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of. As these plants put down a sizeable taproot, it can start to coil around the inside of the pot and cause the plant to become rootbound quickly, which complicates transplants. During the watermelon season, which lasts from early june through august, the market is open from 7am. Georgia rattlesnake watermelon is one of the oldest heirloom varieties in existence. Terrell rutland is preparing for the upcoming watermelon season just like other georgia farmers. This is how its down in tifton georgia for the 2018 watermelon season. Perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season, growers say. The cordele state farmers market is the major watermelon distribution hub for the southeast.

Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Georgia rattlesnake watermelon premium garden seeds. During the summer, cordele celebrates the watermelon harvest with the annual watermelon days festival. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than varieties watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family cucurbitaceae. Storage store an uncut watermelon for up to a week. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested georgia. Finding local, inseason foods at the peak of flavor may seem like a challenge, but its easy with the help of these georgia grown farmers. Commercial watermelon production uga cooperative extension. The red soil also helps to make this melon the way that it is. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Watermelon is a warmseason vegetable in the cucurbiteae family. Watermelons will continue to be an important part of vegetable production in the state.

My husband took me to florida for my first time picking watermelon which is a family tradition every summer. Search or browse our list of watermelon farms companies in georgia by category or location. Typical harvest dates for crops in georgia typical crop and harvest dates in georgia. Florida is one the top producing states for watermelons in the u. Watermelons can be grown on any welldrained soil throughout georgia but are particularly well adapted to the coastal plain soils of south georgia. Whats in season in april 2020, and other timely information. Watermelon is also a good source of vitamins a and c. Georgia crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables.