Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety. Watermelons have been one of the better crops we have around the lower rio grande valley, said stein. Juan anciso, texas agrilife extension service service. We are still shipping orders and intend to stay open during the corona virus outbreak. Soil should be 70 degrees f or warmer at planting time. The nwa is comprised of nine different state chapters and more than 700 members in 30 states and canada. Courtesy photo texas is the top producer of watermelons in the nation, according to the u. These melons are easy to grow when planting in fertile, welldrained soil with full sun. Late summer and early fall harvests of watermelon can be found in the southern high plains. 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. Plan to transplant seedlings into the garden about 2 weeks after that date. Dudley smith, texas agricultural experiment station and dr.
Growing watermelons, a summertime treat the spruce. Watermelons, like other vining plants, need plenty of space to grow. Although watermelon requires a long growing season, if you start this sprawling plant early enough in the year, you can enjoy its fruits from late summer to early fall. Hundreds of farms grow watermelons in an area of over 17,000 hectares throughout the state. Texas is one of the largest producers of watermelon in the u. Everything you need to know about growing watermelons is here. To get a jumpstart in cooler climates, cover the planting area with black plastic to warm up the soil and start seeds. Some vegetables remain in season for months upon months. The texas watermelon crop was delayed by spring weather, but plenty. Jubilee watermelons are disease resistant, making it less likely that fusarium wilt will infect your produce. However, directly sowing them is recommended as it will give you the best watermelon harvest.
Top central tx watermelons and harvesting tips austin, texas. Harvest season starts in april in the lower rio grande valley. Watermelons are grown in nearly half the counties in texas. 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. Out of the 44 states that produce watermelons, texas is one of only five states that consistently leads watermelon production in the u. Big stripe, royal sweet, jamboree, stargazer, starsnstripes. Seasonal fruits and vegetables of texas the spruce eats. Give plants a fabulous start to the growing season by improving native soil with several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Midmarch is usually time for the last frost of the season.
Aphids are often midtolate season pests of texas watermelons where damage results. Top central tx watermelons and harvesting tips sustainable. Growing conditions for watermelons include lots of sunshine during the day and warm nights. 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. North texas farmer cracks secret watermelon code culturemap. If youve been avoiding growing watermelons because your garden is too small, wait no longer. July and august are the peak season for fresh and juicy watermelons. The seeds can be started indoors up to three weeks before planting in the garden. Jun 12, 2018 cantaloupes and watermelons are experiencing an ideal growing season and high demand as the fourth of july holiday approaches. Not much has changed in those years, which is probably why they are so successful, selling over 3 million watermelons every season. On a hot summer day, nothing tastes better than a nice slice of watermelon.
Although watermelon is available year round, domestic watermelon is in its peak season from may through august. A watermelon grows in a basin dug into a north texas garden plot. How to grow watermelons complete growing guide youtube. There are 2 wiggins watermelon farms, where every season, they contract out helpers to pick and load watermelons. Harvest lower leaves of chard and kale as the leaves grow. How to grow the tomato and 115 ways to prepare it for the table. Weve tried many varieties over the years, but the crimson sweet is by far our favorite. Watermelons are one of our top 5 favorite springsummer crops. 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. Jun 27, 2015 everything you need to know about growing watermelons is here. The united states is fourth in world production with florida, texas, california, georgia and arizona consistently leading the country in production. Native to africa, melons need warm temperatures up to 80f during the day and a long growing season.
Sow seeds 14 deep in flats or small pots, sowing 3 seeds per pot. Watermelons need a long growing season at least 80 days and warm ground for seeds to germinate and grow. In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date. Watermelon growing and harvest information growing vegetables. If you live where you have a shorter growing season, it would be a good idea to start your seeds indoors. In texas, the watermelon season is from june to august. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrientrich, welldrained soil with a ph of 6.
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. Home gardeners in cooler regions can usually do fairly well with watermelons if they start seed indoors a month or more ahead of planting outdoors, but. Melons what kinds of melons are commonly grown in texas. You should plant watermelons when the soil has reached at least 70 degrees fahrenheit. Watermelons are grown all over the lone star state. Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors in the spring well after all threats of frost have passed. How to grow black diamond watermelon guide to growing black.
In contrast to many other parts of the country, hot summers sometimes bring an end rather than a beginning to the growing season. Occasionally, a late frost will occur and you will have to. We are experiencing significantly high call volumes right now. This is definitely true for texas, california and georgia. Muskmelons are often mistakenly called cantaloupes. Watermelons require a long growing season with a hot summer, humid atmosphere and a lot space. Growing watermelons may be started from directly seeding the ground or from transplants purchased from a nursery. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 f or above. They are great sliced, in fruit salads, and the rind is even used hollowed out as a serving basket or bowl. Jubilee watermelon info how to care for jubilee melon plants. Today, varieties of the warm season annual range from 1pound personal melons to 100pound contest entries. Watermelon conjures fond memories of hot summer days, chins dripping with juice and happy kids running around.
However, there are those who believe that watermelon arrived in the united states via african slaves. Garden guides how to grow watermelons in houston, texas. Department of agriculture national agricultural statistics service, and are the no. Their extended growing season can take as long as 90 days to maturity for the sweetest taste. You will find both spring and fall planting guides on this page. Jul 17, 2017 texas gardening for the springsummer begins earlier than the northern sections of the country. Texas gardening for the springsummer begins earlier than the northern sections of the country. Texas crop and weather report june 12, 2018 agrilife today. Suggested watermelon varieties for texas vegetable resources. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination. Sequential harvests start in april in the lower rio grande valley, in june and july in the winter garden and east texas areas, and progresses to august in the rolling plains area, with late summer and early fall harvests in the cross timbersdeleon and southern high plains. Melons are warmseason crops and are easily injured by frost. Photo by marshall hinsley the arrival of july marks the beginning of planting season for pumpkins in texas. For the fall crop in milder areas of texas, clip the leaves just above the crown about 1 to 2 inches above ground level.
Although watermelon is a popular treat in the summertime, the watermelon season will slightly vary from different states. Growing watermelon on trellises abundant mini gardens. Watermelon seeds can be directsown outside after danger of frost has passed. The four states with the highest watermelon production were texas, florida. They are the largest annual horticulture crop in texas. Imported watermelon is in its peak season from march through may. Fort worth, texas on average, your frostfree growing season starts mar 29 and ends nov 5, totalling 221 days.
Texas leading vegetable crop ripe and ready for the table. Additionally, watermelon seeds will show better germination rates with heat. We also like this tool from the texas department of agriculture to find out whats in season. Because watermelons require a long, warm growing season, their best production in the united states occurs in the south and southwest regions, where there is ample growing time and warm weather. Water and fertilize lightly and the plants will continue growing. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, corn, okra, beans, peas, cantaloupe and watermelon are growing during this time. On the other hand, georgias watermelon season starts at the end of july and ends at the beginning of. Jun 29, 20 the wiggins farm down in snook, texas has been growing watermelons for over 45 years.
Gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelon vines by starting seeds indoors and choosing shortseason varieties. 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. Melons most commonly grown in texas include honeydew, muskmelon and watermelon. Planting watermelons the ideal date to plant watermelons varies according to the climate. As they require a long growing season, watermelons are best started indoors approximately 34 weeks prior to the last frost of the season. Click below to see whats typically in season each month, or visit the lakeline or mueller facebook page on fridays to see what vendors are bringing that weekend. You will generally get only 2 to 3 watermelons per vine. To keep them growing steadily, side dress mid season with a layer of compost. The twa is a member of the national watermelon association. This will give you a small jump on the growing season. 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. China is now the worlds largest producer of watermelons.
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