Watermelon Harvest is Late, but Festival is Not !

Watermelon harvest is two to three weeks late in Washington County, but it’s finally around the corner.

 

SONY DSCWatermelon growers in Washington, Holmes and Jackson Counties have been surveyed, with all indicating a late start to harvest. The majority have not begun harvest, as of the 26th of June. However, there will be plenty of Watermelons at the Panhandle Watermelon Festival.

This harvest delay is due to the near 100 degree temperatures in May and Early June and lack of pollinators present. Flowers have been closing early in the day due to heat, and this further reduces pollination. Since daily highs have eased off the from the 100 degree mark, pollination should improve. Watermelons are running and flowering well due to the plentiful rains during the last several weeks.

In Washington and Holmes counties, Watermelon cutting should begin sometime in early July. This condition is representative of most watermelon growers in the central panhandle.

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Posted: June 27, 2013


Category: Agriculture
Tags: Agriculture


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