Watermelon growing season texas

The seeds can be started indoors up to three weeks before planting in the garden. Their watermelon season includes all of june, july, august and september. Cantaloupes and watermelons are experiencing an ideal growing season and high demand as the fourth of july holiday approaches. Mexico watermelon season looking good until january. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. Today, varieties of the warm season annual range from 1pound personal melons to 100pound contest entries. The growing zones for watermelons home guides sf gate. Hundreds of farms grow watermelons in an area of over 17,000 hectares throughout the state. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley. There are two general types of watermelon festivals 1 community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local chamber of.

Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Harvest spinach when plants are 6 to 8 inches tall. Jun 29, 20 the wiggins farm down in snook, texas has been growing watermelons for over 45 years. Texas is the top producer of watermelons in the nation, according to the u. To keep them growing steadily, side dress mid season with a layer of compost.

In luling, texas, the watermelon is so popular that the town celebrates with an annual four day festival called the watermelon thump, which includes fun activities such as seed spitting, watermelon eating, and a contest for. In spite of many usual and pesky problems associated with growing those big, beautiful texas thumpers, most reports have it that a good watermelon crop is headed our way this year. Sow seeds 14 deep in flats or small pots, sowing 3 seeds per pot. Department of agriculture national agricultural statistics service, and are the no. A single watermelon plant, given good growing conditions, can almost fill a 15footwide circle on the ground. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, corn, okra, beans, peas, cantaloupe and watermelon are growing during this time.

Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination. Some vegetables remain in season for months upon months. 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. Jubilee watermelon info how to care for jubilee melon plants. Texas is one of the largest producers of watermelon in the u. 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. The association works to enhance efficiency within the industry, increase profits and provide consumers. Suggested watermelon varieties for texas vegetable resources. Photo by marshall hinsley the arrival of july marks the beginning of planting season for pumpkins in texas. Hundreds of farms grow watermelons in an area of over 17000 hectares throughout the state. Place the rows of muskmelons and honeydews 6 to 8 feet apart, rows of irrigated watermelons 10 to 12 feet apart, and rows of unirrigated watermelons 12 to 16 feet apart. Watermelons in texas vegetable resources aggie horticulture.

How to grow black diamond watermelon guide to growing. This will give you a small jump on the growing season. Watermelons are one of our top 5 favorite springsummer crops. Jun 27, 2015 everything you need to know about growing watermelons is here. How to grow watermelons complete growing guide youtube. Harvest lower leaves of chard and kale as the leaves grow. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. Over 42,000 acres are grown throughout texas in over 100 counties. As they require a long growing season, watermelons are best started indoors approximately 34 weeks prior to the last frost of the season. Florida and three other statesgeorgia, california, and texas accounted for twothirds of u. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Top central tx watermelons and harvesting tips austin, texas. Watermelon growing and harvest information growing. 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.

On a hot summer day, nothing tastes better than a nice slice of watermelon. Occasionally, a late frost will occur and you will have to. Muskmelons are often mistakenly called cantaloupes, but the true. If youve been avoiding growing watermelons because your garden is too small, wait no longer. Watermelon seeds can be directsown outside after danger of frost has passed. Ignore what you read in gardening books and on seed packets about how to grow watermelons specifically their recommendation to plant. Jubilee watermelons are disease resistant, making it less likely that fusarium wilt will infect your produce. Garden guides how to grow watermelons in houston, texas. Dudley smith, texas agricultural experiment station and dr. July and august are the peak season for fresh and juicy watermelons. Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Harvest starts in early may in the lower rio grande. A sandy, light loam deeply enriched with manure and compost is. A watermelon grows in a basin dug into a north texas garden plot.

According to the, the united states ranks fourth in production of watermelons. Growing watermelons, a summertime treat the spruce. However, there are those who believe that watermelon arrived in the united states via african slaves. Watermelon growing and harvest information growing vegetables.

Melons are warmseason crops and are easily injured by frost. To help you with growing watermelon, our comprehensive guide gives you all the details about planting, harvesting, companion plants and pests. Give plants a fabulous start to the growing season by improving native soil with several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Everything is challenging this year, said bill segers, owner. Additionally, watermelon seeds will show better germination rates with heat. Courtesy photo texas is the top producer of watermelons in the nation, according to the u. Martori noted that the first part of the mexican watermelon season is looking good. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of. Big stripe, royal sweet, jamboree, stargazer, starsnstripes. China is now the worlds largest producer of watermelons. In 2006, the name of the texas chapter was changed back to the texas watermelon association to reflect its current membership and goals of promoting texas grown watermelons.

Watermelons have a long growing season, from planting to harvest, and during this time, they should not experience a frost, which could kill the plant. Watermelon conjures fond memories of hot summer days, chins dripping with juice and happy kids running around. They are the largest annual horticulture crop in texas. Planting watermelons the ideal date to plant watermelons varies according to the climate. Watermelon fruits vary in size from small to quite large,and in color from dark green to yellow. Seasonal fruits and vegetables of texas the spruce eats. Their extended growing season can take as long as 90 days to maturity for the sweetest taste.

Water and fertilize lightly and the plants will continue growing. This range includes most of the united states, but heat, the growing season length and. Local watermelon patches are feeling the heat this year, in a dry growing season thats proving challenging for local farmers. Top central tx watermelons and harvesting tips sustainable. Native to africa, melons need warm temperatures up to 80f during the day and a long growing season. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of september, and california. To get a jumpstart in cooler climates, cover the planting area with black plastic to warm up the soil and start seeds. Dec 15, 2018 today, varieties of the warm season annual range from 1pound personal melons to 100pound contest entries. Growing watermelons may be started from directly seeding the ground or from transplants purchased from a nursery.

The wiggins farm down in snook, texas has been growing watermelons for over 45 years. Watermelons, like other vining plants, need plenty of space to grow. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. Valley south texas, june in the area west of san antonio.

Melons what kinds of melons are commonly grown in texas. The united states is fourth in world production with florida, texas, california, georgia and arizona consistently leading the country in production. 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. Weve tried many varieties over the years, but the crimson sweet is by far our favorite. 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. The newer refrigeratorsize small hybrid watermelons are more satisfactory for the average home garden, especially in the northeast, where the growing season is shorter. In warmer climates, like texas and the hotter areas of california, planting time for watermelons is december through early july, although april through july is more. A sandy, light loam deeply enriched with manure and compost is ideal. The very long growing seasons in texas allow for multiple plantings and thus multiple harvest seasons. Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors in the spring well after all threats of frost have passed. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 f or above. For the fall crop in milder areas of texas, clip the leaves just above the crown about 1 to 2 inches above ground level. To keep them growing steadily, side dress midseason with a layer of compost. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrientrich, welldrained soil with a ph of 6.

Seedless varieties are in increasing demand, and the share of seedless watermelon in total watermelon shipments in the united states. Midmarch is usually time for the last frost of the season. We are experiencing significantly high call volumes right now. Picking out a good watermelon seems to be a crap shoot at best, with people claiming knocking on the watermelon or pressing your nails into the rind is a way to determine ripeness i call bullst. Watermelons need a long growing season at least 80 days and warm ground for seeds to germinate and grow. Twa constantly seeks to improve the growing, grading, handling, transportation, distribution, and sales of watermelons. North texas farmer cracks secret watermelon code culturemap. Texas leading vegetable crop ripe and ready for the table. Watermelons are the states largest annual horticultural crop. Texas crop and weather report june 12, 2018 agrilife today. Anyone know when locally grown watermelons are available. The twa is a member of the national watermelon association.

You will generally get only 2 to 3 watermelons per vine. Grower shippers coordinate sales into large metro areas and outofstate shipments. In contrast to many other parts of the country, hot summers sometimes bring an end rather than a beginning to the growing season. The nwa is comprised of nine different state chapters and more than 700 members in 30 states and canada. They are great sliced, in fruit salads, and the rind is even used hollowed out as a serving basket or bowl. Watermelons have been one of the better crops we have around the lower rio grande valley, said stein. The purpose of the texas watermelon association twa is to promote the production and consumption of texas watermelons. Melons most commonly grown in texas include honeydew, muskmelon and watermelon. Watermelon is a warm season fruit loved by just about everyone. Do not plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring and all danger of frost is past. Apr 06, 2016 watermelons are one of our top 5 favorite springsummer crops.

How to grow black diamond watermelon guide to growing black. Growing watermelon on trellises abundant mini gardens. We are still shipping orders and intend to stay open during the corona virus outbreak. Texas gardening for the springsummer begins earlier than the northern sections of the country. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. Today, varieties of the warmseason annual range from 1pound personal melons to 100pound contest entries. 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. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, as long.

Late summer and early fall harvests of watermelon can be found in the southern high plains. Everything you need to know about growing watermelons is here. Out of the 44 states that produce watermelons, texas is one of only five states that consistently leads watermelon production in the u. Here in central texas, there are several recommended varieties to grow, planted in the spring for a summer harvest. Growing conditions for watermelons include lots of sunshine during the day and warm nights. Texas watermelon, cantaloupe producers fare well due to. Not much has changed in those years, which is probably why they are so successful, selling over 3 million watermelons every season. Jun 12, 2018 cantaloupes and watermelons are experiencing an ideal growing season and high demand as the fourth of july holiday approaches. In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date. How to grow the tomato and 115 ways to prepare it for the table. Supplies will likely be impacted in january however due to.