From slices and seedspitting contests to watermelon salsa and pickled rinds, no matter how you enjoy watermelon theres no denying its a big part of the summer season. Mar 30, 2017 another benefit of enjoying fruits in season is the cost. Select short season varieties such as million bucks hybrid or orange sunshine hybrid if your growing season is less than 90 days. North carolina has shown a modest increase in watermelon production from 2012 to 2015 where the average harvested acreage was 5,733 acres and in 2016 harvested acreage was reported at 6,300 acres. Watermelon may be a summerlong fixture, but its especially delicious in july when it hits peak season in north carolina. In season, here in montana, we eat one 1015pound seedless melon each week. Whats in season in april 2020, and other timely information.
When is watermelon season in texas, florida, california and georgia. The north carolina watermelon asociation promotes watermelons and their growers, crowning the nc watermelon queen every march at the ncwa. Home north carolina postcards watermelon season in scotland county, laurinburg, n. Feb 26, 2017 watermelon seed can be planted directly in the garden or transplants can be grown to get an early start. Cut watermelon should be tightly wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for no more than. Fiddlehead ferns morels mustard greens summer season blackberries blueberries nectarines peaches plums raspberries tomatoes watermelon. Please note that actual dates may vary by as much as. Learn when to find the freshest sweet corn or if youve missed blueberry season. Kensley leonard, the 2009 north carolina watermelon queen, hands out signed photos friday to bryson williams, 3, on friday, as jane church and her grandchildren ryan williams, 18 months, and. My wife and i eat watermelon as an integral part of our diet. Nc watermelon association, raleigh, north carolina.
Georgia watermelon season kicks off with a quality crop expected to have the crispest, sweetest, most refreshing flavor. Wayne rowland, agricultural and natural resources technician with n. This is a guest post by chris gunter, a vegetable crops expert and professor of horticultural science at nc state. Jul 29, 2015 its watermelon season here at davison orchards and lance davison tells you all about picking watermelon and how they taste. Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. Use this helpful north carolina produce calendar to find out when your favorite fruits and vegetables are in season. Planting calendar for places in north carolina old farmers. Jun 14, 2019 the weather for this years growing season has been good so far, said georgia watermelon association gwa president rob greene. Youd be surprised at the variety of produce in season available every month. Watermelon board education winter springs, florida.
The soils and climate in the bogue sound region is the only place where nature reflects in a watermelon so unique that people come from miles around to experience the sweet taste of bogue sound watermelons. Watermelon plants like a long, warm growing season. 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. 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. 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. Whats growing north carolina produce calendar infographic. Jul 20, 2017 at 76yearsold, david winberry, except for a few years he spent in service to his country in the coast guard, has been around bogue sound watermelons all his life. In central north carolina almost any type of vegetable or fruit can be grown successfully provided you choose appropriate varieties and plant at the right time.
Have you ever wondered what vegetables are grown in north carolina. Planting for georgias watermelon crop begins in march. There is nothing better than biting into a ripe red apple, or squeezing a fresh meyer lemon. Thats because although peaches can be found in grocery stores for several months, theyre truly in season in the summer, between june and september. Their watermelon season includes all of june, july, august and september. Jul 15, 20 from slices and seedspitting contests to watermelon salsa and pickled rinds, no matter how you enjoy watermelon theres no denying its a big part of the summer season. The 2019 georgia watermelon season starts vsc news. Start watermelon seeds indoors and use black plastic mulch. Miss amy arnold was crowned as the 2019 north carolina watermelon queen during the 38th annual north carolina watermelon association convention held march 12, 2019 in wrightsville beach, nc. 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. North carolina seasonal fruits and vegetables the spruce eats. Largescale producers usually more than 20 acres generally use brokers who provide the marketing services to the producers.
But dont count your crops until every melon has been brought in from the vine. Cucumber beetles and vine borers are the worst watermelon pests. North carolina is in peak watermelon season right now, so. Both labels are used interchangeably in american markets. If the seeds have begun to separate from the flesh, or you see white streaks, or large cracks in the flesh, avoid it. It is getting hot quickly, and that is watermelon weather. The seeds can be started indoors up to three weeks before planting in the garden. North carolinas watermelon season runs june through august, so consumers should soon see north carolina watermelons in stores, markets and roadside stands. It is always advisable to call a farm earlier than the expected beginning of a season to verify on the status of the product you are interested in. Since 1939, the hampton county watermelon festival has grown to become south carolinas oldest continuing festival. Eastern north carolina planting calendar for annual vegetables. Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing short season varieties.
Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. And the north carolina watermelon associations online recipe arsenal proves that. Hampton county watermelon festival over 75 years running, june 15th 24th, 2018 pine st. Watermelon season in scotland county, laurinburg, n. This post is part of our nc knowledge list series, which taps into nc states expertise on all things north carolina. Watermelons are in season from july through august. Have you ever tried to buy peaches at a local farmers market in april, only to find. The goal is to have the first crop available for the melonheads by july 4, the peak of tourist season. Central north carolina planting calendar for annual. And if you have as little as 12 to 16 square feetthats 4 feet by 4 feet, you still have enough space to grow watermelon. Learn when to find the freshest sweet corn or if youve missed blueberry. This will give you a small jump on the growing season.
You can also look up produce by seasons spring, summer, fall, winter. Watermelon queen 2019 amy arnold miss amy arnold was crowned as the 2019 north carolina watermelon queen during the 38th annual north carolina watermelon association convention held march 12, 2019 in wrightsville beach, nc. Serving up fresh watermelon recipes, facts, health, news and views. Weve created an inseason produce calendar for north carolina so you can. Growing watermelon and cantaloupe successfully north. A warmseason crop related to cantaloupe, cucumber and pumpkin, most watermelons are grown in central georgia or along our southern coastal plains.
This publication covers climate, season and potential pests that all affect the selection of what and when to plant. Apples, august through february cold storage until spring arugula, available yearround but best in spring and fall. Keep in mind that the climate of western north carolina, with the mountains, can easily be a month later in the spring and a month earlier in the fall, than the warmer coastal areas. Plants should be spaced 5 to 6 feet apart within the row. Choose a variety that will have time to ripen and follow these tips to get them started properly. Watermelon continues to be an important crop grown in north carolina as the state was ranked seventh in production among u. But if you have less than 90 growing days, you can still harvest a watermelon. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. Jul 19, 2018 there is no such thing as a boy versus girl watermelon, even though there are male and female watermelon flowers. And if everything goes right, a watermelon season can last from the end of june to after labor day, mr. Lettuce in the fall and spring, tomatoes into october and november its warm enough here to go at least three rounds with your garden each. As the largest watermelon grower, packer, and shipper in the u. It is possible to grow plants out of season by creating microclimates that differ from the overall climate by providing shade, humidity, or artificial. North carolina crop harvest calendar when fruit and.
Depending on your precise area of the state, growing seasons and crop availability will vary. Storage store an uncut watermelon for up to a week. Hot weather crops such as peanuts and okra thrive in many areas, while cooler climes towards the mountains offer more gentle growing conditions for those crops that prefer more temperate conditions. North carolina is in peak watermelon season right now, so regardless of the size. In central north carolina almost any type of vegetable or fruit can be grown successfully. The north carolina watermelon association serves to protect and promote the interest of the nc watermelon industry from production to. Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors in the spring well after all threats of frost have passed. Learn to pick like a pro and see what local restaurants are cooking. North carolina grows a fabulously wide variety of fresh produce. North carolina for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and other crops. Theres even a designated watermelon day at the state farmers marketthis years event will be held on july 26. Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. Planting calendar for places in north carolina old. There is no such thing as a boy versus girl watermelon, even though there are male and female watermelon flowers.
Cooperative extension, vance county center, a growing watermelon and cantaloupe successfully meeting has been scheduled for monday, april 25, 2016, at 6. Seeds or transplants should be planted in rows spaced 6 to 8 feet apart. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Greene is owner of lime creek farms in arabi, georgia. The result is a varied, long growing season that offers lots of.
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