Florida gardens are unique in that many growers have their offseason in the summer. Apr, 2010 open face watermelon sandwiches yield 4 servings. The 2016 state profile for florida by the usdas national agricultural. May 31, 2018 in a 2016 university of florida watermelon fungicide trial, the entry treated with foliar applications of rhyme fungicide with a nonionic surfactant had disease severity ratings of only 18. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Bsw ships watermelons from south florida, trenton which is where the main facility is located, south georgia, south carolina, north carolina, indiana and missouri. More than 20% of the states watermelon crop is produced in these two counties. Kick off watermelon season with sweet and salty salad. As fruit and vegetable farmers in south florida decide what to do with. 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.
This event gets bigger and better each year, making it a great time to plan a trip to fleamasters or plan to sell at the market. Growing watermelon in north florida prestige landscapes llc. This gorgeous fruit wears an extremely thin skin that will zip right off so it can be effortlessly enjoyed. North florida watermelon farmers bracing for unpredictable season. Study the seasonal produce guide printable, and check out the other tips on why its important to eat locally and seasonally. 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. Now 39, willis is the sole proprietor of jfkw farms, growing 150 acres of watermelons and 65 acres of tomatoes. An awardwinning food writer and cookbook author, molly watson has created recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
The watermelon season in florida has already soured and a huge chunk of the states crop has yet to be harvested. In 2018, the state brought in 30,462 h2a workers, second only to georgia, according the u. 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. 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. Rhyme fungicide now available for use in watermelon. Floridas watermelon season starts in april, peaks in may and june, and. Watermelon production sort of moves up the country as it becomes spring, he says. We went for 10 days where we picked thousands of watermelons. Ingredients 14 mediumsized florida watermelon, seeds and rind removed 1 handful fresh florida mint leaves, chopped 8 ounces goat cheese 12 loaf of your favorite crusty bread, sliced thin olive oil kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Florida produced more than 780 million pounds of watermelon last year 22% of u. Plan to celebrate the summer harvest season at fleamasters annual watermelon festival, may 2527, 2018. 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. Watermelon cups with cucumber, feta and mint recipes. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august.
Let the strained watermelon mixture drain into a medium sized bowl. Mardel watermelon association 4,062 photos product. 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. Florida watermelons are grown in the western parts of the state from north collier county to columbia county watermelon from florida is available from late march until mid. If you purchased one with seeds remove them before making the juice. As the largest watermelon grower, packer, and shipper in the u. In fact, water comprises 92 percent of the watermelon fruit. Perfect for an outdoor celebration or summer barbecue. Every summer we look forward to fresh from florida produce. South florida gardeners plant watermelon before march 1. Growing watermelon in north florida august 3, 2016 no comments by prestige landscapes blog, gardening, tips florida, gardening, holidays when planting watermelon you can plant seeds or transplants just be careful with transplants as watermelons have sensitive roots.
Watermelon gardening solutions university of florida. This event gets bigger and better each year, making it a great time to plan a. Apr 07, 2020 a watermelon sits among leaves in a watermelon field. Floridas summer sun takes a toll on traditional crops familiar in more northern gardens. Sep 24, 2018 the 2018 florida watermelon season posed challenges for most growers that resulted in lower yields and higher fruit prices. Add fresh mint leaves and youre ready to enjoy a nice tall glass of florida watermelon fizz. North florida watermelon farmers bracing for unpredictable. Games, competition, sweet florida watermelon at fleamasters fleamarket save the date. Summer meals are so much better with our favorite produce picked from from a local farm. Pour sparkling water over the juice until glass is filled. Camila guillen, ufifas ufifas as fruit and vegetable farmers in. Watch emerils florida episodes online season 4 2016 tv. Clean the watermelon before cutting with soap and running water. Whats in season in may 2020, and other timely information.
Perfect growing conditions this year could start florida melons up to three weeks early, with good volume and quality throughout the season. It is the mission of the florida watermelon association to support research, education and promotion of the fresh florida watermelon industry. Jun 24, 2016 watermelon is just one of the fresh commodities available from florida this season. Print this months shopping list of fresh florida fruits and vegetables and look for them in your grocery store. Jun 21, 2016 you can head over to the fresh from florida recipe page and find recipes for every in season florida produce all year long. Healthy harvest farms llc february 15, 2017 the weather has been excellent for watermelon growing so far, we should have florida melons ready to harvest early april. Hapco farms gears up for watermelon harvest in florida. Watermelon territory starts in south florida, which has an earlier season, and moves up the east coast. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Mancozeb or mankocide premix can effectively manage the disease if applied early in the season based on weather conditions, 23 applications may be needed early in the season. Divide watermelon juice equally into four glasses filled with ice.
Florida crops in season florida department of agriculture. With crops in the ground, florida watermelon farmers face. Jul 01, 2016 published on jul 1, 2016 my husband took me to florida for my first time picking watermelon which is a family tradition every summer. This years florida watermelon season is running two weeks earlier than normal. Hall says consumers rising interest in nutrition is good news for watermelon growers. Florida watermelon farmers face uncertainty due to covid19. Billy personally handles all sales and has done so for the entire 26 years of operation. Watermelon citrullus lanatus is a plant species in the family cucurbitaceae, a vinelike flowering plant originating in west africa. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. When is watermelon season in texas, florida, california and georgia. Add watermelon, honey, and lemon juice to a blender and process until smooth. Aug 03, 2016 growing watermelon in north florida august 3, 2016 no comments by prestige landscapes blog, gardening, tips florida, gardening, holidays when planting watermelon you can plant seeds or transplants just be careful with transplants as watermelons have sensitive roots. This watermelon salsa post was sponsored by fresh from florida as part of influencer. During the 2010 production season, watermelon was the states seventh.
Consequently when watering, try and apply only as much water as the root zone top 12 can hold. Some of the applicants in laras group had already spent seasons laboring in u. Watermelon seeds cloud the juice and transform it into colloidal texture the day after. Several kinds of melons grow well in florida, including casaba, honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe. It is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, having more than varieties watermelon is a scrambling and trailing vine in the flowering plant family cucurbitaceae. Enjoy the sweet flavors of summer with this watermelon salsa recipe made with sweet florida watermelon disclosure. Apr 15, 2016 florida is a good place to be if you want to grow watermelons. Florida is a good place to be if you want to grow watermelons. Billy personally handles all sales and has done so. Watermelons are a short season and potentially temperamental crop.
Watermelon planting dates range from december 15 to april 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. According to the 2017 usda census of agriculture, levy county has the largest acreage of watermelons in the state, with gilchrist a close second. In florida, its watermelons, watermelons everywhere central. Jun 01, 2010 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. 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 in levy county. Watermelons have crisp, juicy flesh thats perfect for summer eating. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Florida is one the top producing states for watermelons in the u. Though weather conditions pushed back the harvest date, the company expects to have a good season. 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.
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%. Surprisingly, the bulk of watermelon roots are found in the top 12 inches of soil. In a 2016 university of florida watermelon fungicide trial, the entry treated with foliar applications of rhyme fungicide with a nonionic surfactant had disease severity ratings of only 18. A watermelon sits among leaves in a watermelon field. These little watermelon cups are the perfect side dish or appetizer for your summer parties. Florida is famous for its citrus, and rightly so, but plenty of other fruits and. Some of following crops, however, can withstand the heat. Watch emerils florida episodes online season 4 2016. Many present shipments from mostly prior bookings andor previous commitments at lower prices. Usdanass 2019 state agriculture overview for florida. The florida watermelon association represents the growers, brokers and associated companies of the watermelon industry in florida. Fresh from florida watermelons can be found in grocery stores across north america. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested in florida.
Steve nichols, manager of the lakelandbased global produce sales, says that is because the season starts here for u. Published on jul 1, 2016 my husband took me to florida for my first time picking watermelon which is a family tradition every summer. Apr 07, 2020 according to the 2017 usda census of agriculture, levy county has the largest acreage of watermelons in the state, with gilchrist a close second. Whats in season florida produce calendar infographic. The disease control provided by rhyme fungicide protects yields. Watermelons trending in central florida growing produce. There is evidence from seeds in pharaoh tombs of watermelon cultivation in ancient egypt. Higher prices save florida watermelon season vsc news. National watermelon report volume xlvii number 90 page 3 friday, may 08, 2020 honduras.
Florida watermelon set for early, plentiful harvest packer. To create a seedless watermelon, a diploid watermelon plant is treated with colchicine a plantderived chemical to produce a tetraploid watermelon plant that has double the normal number of chromosomes 4n. Full of a,b6,c, citrulline and its the lycopene leader buy a. Camila guillen, ufifas ufifas as fruit and vegetable farmers in south florida decide what to do. The average watermelon plant you can grow in your garden is diploid, meaning it has a complete set of chromosomes 2n. 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. There are two general types of watermelon festivals 1 community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local chamber of commerce or a town and 2. Mardel watermelon association 4,062 photos productservice. Apr 18, 2012 florida watermelon shipments begin early. The 2018 florida watermelon season posed challenges for most growers that resulted in lower yields and higher fruit prices. Orlando tangelos make the perfect juicy snack for every occasion.
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