However, excess water at any time during crop growth, especially as fruit reaches maturity, can cause the fruit to crack, which will reduce crop yields and fruit quality. For more information, see Agricultural Business Insurance. For more information about GAPs and GHPs, contact your local extension office or your Department of Agriculture. It has sweet, yellow flesh and is very popular in the watermelon-growing areas of Arkansas. From Lemonade Tea to Tropical Fruit Punch, Wawa has a wide variety of bottled teas and fruit drinks to satisfy your thirst. After harvest, growers should check watermelons for size, maturity, and pest damage to ensure marketing of a high-quality product. The following are some of the varieties of pomegranate available but by no means a comprehensive list: Sienevyi has large, soft seeded fruit, sweet in flavor much like a watermelon. Maynard, D. M., and G. J. Hochmuth. Insecticides applied to flowers or weeds in bloom can adversely affect pollinating insect populations, especially honeybees. Then contact an agent who sells crop insurance and insure the income of your operation. Watermelons are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, muskmelons, and gourds. Watering the plants with drip irrigation ensures optimum plant growth and yields and allows growers to apply fertilizer during the growing season. Pesticide applicator tests are usually administered at county extension offices so you should contact your local office for dates and times for these examinations. Dunn, J. W., J. K. Harper, and L. F. Kime. With pick-your-own operations, you save on harvest costs, but you must be willing to accept some waste. Harper, J. K., and G. L. Greaser. Cucumberbeetle, aphids, seed corn maggot, leafminers, and rindworms (cucumber beetle larvae) can all cause crop losses. The best average temperature range for watermelon production during the growing season is between 65F and 95F. Watermelon was widely distributed throughout the remainder of the world by African slaves and European colonists. How to Plant Watermelon. This publication was developed by the Small-scale and Part-time Farming Project at Penn State with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Extension Service. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2002. Many field operations - such as land preparation, planting, and harvesting - can be custom-hired. You will need to click on and add your own estimated price and quantity information to all of the green outlined cells to complete your customized budget. A large honeybee population is essential for pollination and fruit set. Because watermelons are a warm-season crop, they should not be transplanted until the soil temperature 3 inches beneath the soil surface reaches 60F. The term melon diversed in many different plants belong to the family Cucurbitaceae. You will need to have any water supply used by your workers or for crop irrigation and pesticide application checked at least twice each year. This variety will fit easily in your fridge, as well. However, seedless varieties will require pollinators. Fertilizer rates should be based on annual soil test results. An extensive checklist published by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service provides a good starting point for determining what may be needed at your operation. Kime, L. F., J. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Watershed Protection and Restoration, See All Community Planning and Engagement, checklist published by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, Vine Crops in Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Diseases and Pests of Muskmelons and Watermelons, Purdue University, Commercial Watermelon Production, University of Georgia, Off-Season and Accelerated Lamb Production. However, growing seedless watermelon transplants is more difficult than growing seeded varieties because of difficulties in germinating the seed. However, seedless varieties will require pollinators. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. By entering your email, you consent to receive communicationsfromPennStateExtension. Jubilee Watermelon is known for its large, elongated melons with finely-textured, bright pink-red flesh and sweet taste. Lycopene and beta-carotene appear to work with other chemicals in fruits and vegetables to provide health-supporting effects. I sat on a watermelon monodiet, but I do not advise you to repeat this, because there is too much sugar and a large load on the kidneys. Also, several major food distribution chains are beginning to require GAPs- and GHPs-certified products from their producers. Recommended Watermelon Varieties. Heirloom Asparagus Types Mary Washington is a traditional variety that produces long, deep green spears with pale purple tips. Pollinators can be planted in rows using a 2 to 1 ratio with every third and outside row being the seeded variety. In wholesale marketing, producers often contract with shippers to market and ship the watermelons for a predetermined price. Watermelons require a constant supply of moisture during the growing season. Say mandarin orange and you are describing a large and diverse group of citrus varieties and hybrids that vary from very sweet to tart and from egg-sized small to medium grapefruit-sized large. Orzolek, M. D., et al. In our trials, we test and select varieties that can endure heat successfully. These budgets are developed for one acre; however, your scale of production should be based on market considerations. If you are unable to conduct a test, the recommended N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) application rates are 40-50-50 pounds per acre banded at planting and 30-50-50 pounds per acre injected during irrigation, applying no more than 5-7 pounds of nitrogen per application. However, all operations may be a source of surface or groundwater pollution. USDA-ARS Agricultural Handbook Number 66. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. When you are done, you can print the budget using the green Print Form button at the bottom of the form. When planning production, first consider your ability to market. If you are unsatisfied with your present selections, this list can offer some alternatives. This budget utilizes custom hire for most of the field work, which could be more economical for small-acreage growers. Also, if Farmer's markets are another retail option, but you should contact the markets well in advance of the marketing season to be sure space is available and to find out what requirements you must follow. FR = fusarium resistant AR = anthracnose resistant OS = ozone sensitive OT = ozone tolerant. Temperatures above 95F or below 50F will slow the growth and maturation of the crop. Cooling the watermelons after harvest to 45-50F will remove field heat and improve shelf life and taste. When using any pesticides in your enterprise, remember to follow all label recommendations regarding application rates and personal protection equipment (PPE) requirements. A specific part of this law is the Nutrient Management Act. Good for storage. Immature, white seed coats and, under certain conditions, a few dark seeds may be present in the fruit. Prior to an inspection, you will need to develop and implement a food safety plan and designate a member of your team to oversee this plan. Everything should have a measure. Pennsylvania Commercial Vegetable Production Guide. Discover more here. For more information on marketing, consult Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small-Scale and Part-Time Growers. These diseases can be controlled by using disease-resistant varieties and by having a good crop-rotation system and soils with good air and water infiltration rates. Freckled eggs were available in large bags and smaller single-serve boxes with a built-in handle. Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers AssociationRR 1 Box 392Northumberland, PA 17857-9723. Second, you may want to insure your income through a crop insurance program called AGR-Lite. Retail marketing options include roadside stands (either your own or another grower's) and pick-your-own operations, which provide opportunities to receive higher-than-wholesale prices for your watermelons, but you may have some additional expenses for advertising, building and maintaining a facility, and providing service to your customers. Organic Watermelon 4 Varieties Organic Tomatoes 15+ Varieties Organic Cucumbers 5 Varieties Organic Sunflowers 2 Varieties. This sample budget should help ensure that all costs and receipts are included in your calculations. Indicators of watermelon fruit maturity include a yellow spot on the fruit surface in contact with soil or plastic mulch; a brown, dried tendril where the fruit stem is joined to the watermelon vine; and a dull surface on top of the fruit. The ellipse will have radii of rx and ry, with the x-axis of the ellipse being rotated by XAR degrees. Why do we need this? Fruit shape and appearance are quite varied, ranging from round to cylindrical and a single color to various striped patterns on the fruit surface. Prepared by Michael D. Orzolek, professor emeritus of horticulture; William J. Lamont, professor of horticulture; Lynn F. Kime, senior extension associate; Steven M. Bogash, retired extension educator; and Jayson K. Harper, professor of agricultural economics. A gricultural Alternatives: Enterprise Budget Analysis. The pineapple and mango Runts originated in this candy. Lamont, W. J. Jr., J. K. Harper, A. R. Jarrett, M. D. Orzolek, R. M. Crassweller, K. Demchak, and G. L. Greaser. Production of less than one acre of many vegetable crops is typical for most growers. Did you know that a watermelon is technically a form of extremely large berry? Try one at a Wawa near you. The arc subcommand of the has the following syntax: A rx ry XAR large-arc-flag sweep-flag x y. In the 1990s, a variation known as Tropical Runts was available. Because of this possibility, you should contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District to determine what regulations may pertain to your operation. Also remember that any Worker Protection Standards (WPS) apply to the owner as well as to employees. You can make changes to the interactive PDF budget files for this publication by inputting your own prices and quantities in the green outlined cells for any item. Because individual fruits are pollinated at different times, multiple harvests are usually necessary. For more information on crop irrigation, consult Irrigation for Fruit and Vegetable Production and Drip Irrigation for Vegetable Production. Watermelons grow best on raised beds covered with black, green, (infrared-transmitting) IRT, or silver plastic mulch, with drip tape buried 2-3 inches below the soil surface. Costs and returns are often difficult to estimate in budget preparation because they are numerous and variable. Several preplant and postemergence herbicides are available for watermelons, depending on the specific weed problem and the growth stage. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the United States produced 126,000 acres of watermelons in 2009 with a value of $460 million. Developing a Roadside Farm Market. First, you should insure your facilities and equipment. A. Adamik, E. E. Gantz, and J. K. Harper. To use AGR-Lite you must have 5 years of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Schedule F forms. MacNab, A. 5th ed. Marketing cooperatives generally use a daily pooled cost and price, which spreads price fluctuations over all participating producers. This is one of the most popular of the pomegranate tree types. Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and good handling practices (GHPs) are voluntary programs that you may wish to consider for your operation. Seedless varieties are in increasing demand, and the share of seedless watermelon in total watermelon shipments in the United States increased from 51 percent in 2003 to nearly 85 percent in 2014. Seedless (triploid) watermelons produce fruits having few if any true seeds. Historically, watermelon was cultivated fin ancient Egypt, though the culture extends back to prehistoric times. Dunn, J. W., J. W. Berry, L. F. Kime, R. M. Harsh, and J. K. Harper. The Commercial Storage of Fruits and Nursery Stocks. A., A. E. Sherf, and J. K. Springer. This includes heat-tolerant versions of cool-weather crops; for example, heat-tolerant lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and kale varieties that can help keep you in greens throughout the hot summer months. This watermelon produces 20-lb fruit that has a light pea-green rind that is resistant to sunburning. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. Viruses such as cucumber mosaic (CMV), squash mosaic (SqMV), and watermelon mosaic (WMV-1, 2) are also a problem. A similar variant, Rock'n Runts existed in the 1990s, containing watermelon, grape, pineapple, lemon, and raspberry. Irrigation for Fruit and Vegetable Production. Commercially produced watermelons (seeded and seedless) are generally started as transplants in the greenhouse 18-24 days prior to planting in the field. Watermelons will retain good quality for approximately 21-28 days if stored at 85-90 percent humidity and 47-55F. Produce auctions operate weekly; however, you must deliver the watermelons to the auction. Fresh-market watermelons usually are sold loose in bulk containers or in 800-pound cardboard bins. This may be accomplished by consulting your insurance agent or broker. The one thing that mandarin oranges have in common is that their peel or skin easily pulls away from their flesh and their segments are easily separated. Several watermelon diseases can cause crop losses, including bacterial fruit blotch, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gummy stem blight. A successful garden begins with the selection of varieties that are adapted to the area. The cells outlined in red automatically calculate your revised totals based on the changes you made to the cells outlined in green. You may wish to consider several risk-management strategies for your operation. Even today, in semi-desert districts of Africa watermelons are cultivated as an important source of water during dry periods. Fruit and Vegetable Marketing for Small-Scale and Part-Time Growers. The pollinator can also be intermingled in the row with 2-3 to 1 ratio with every third or fourth plant being the pollinator variety. Individual plants produce both male and female flowers, and fruit size varies from 5 to 30 pounds, depending on variety. Local retailers are another possible market, but you must take the time to contact produce managers and provide good-quality watermelons when stores require them. Drip Irrigation for Vegetable Production. The arc begins at the current point (determined by the last coordinate specified, e.g. You should conduct some market research because growers often overestimate their ability to sell in a given market. For more concerning crop insurance, contact a crop insurance agent or check the Penn State Extension website. Some varieties though, have naturalized all over the world. Fresh-market watermelons are produced in Pennsylvania from the end of July to the end of September. Viking is known to produce large yields. You should plant watermelons when the soil has reached at University Park: Penn State Extension, 2006. Insects are a major problem in watermelon production. Agricultural Business Insurance. Soil should have a pH of 5.8-6.6. Lamont, W. J. Jr., M. D. Orzolek, J. K. Harper, A. R. Jarrett, and G. L. Greaser. Therefore, you should think of these budgets as an approximation and make appropriate adjustments in the "Your Estimate" column to reflect your specific production and resource situation. Processors are less likely to contract with small-acreage growers (those with fewer than 5 acres). One hive per acre is recommended for maximum fruit production. Containing niacin, vitamin A, B6, C, potassium and their high water content, make it an excellence diuretic.Many species of melons are found, but they belong to four genera: Momordica, Benincasa, Citrulus, and Cucumis. The key to success in germinating seedless watermelons is warm soil and limited watering. Disclosure. Some Bonnie Plants varieties may not be available in your local area, due to different variables in certain regions. Water the planting media thoroughly the afternoon before planting, and then do not water again until plants emerge. Commercial rowers generally transplant approximately 2,800-4,400 plants per acre in single rows 5-8 feet apart on plastic-mulched beds with 24-36 inches between plants in the row. If infestation levels are mild, early cultivation (prior to vine running) can help reduce weed problems. More information on the use of crop budgets can be found in Enterprise Budget Analysis. The idea behind these programs is to ensure a safer food system by reducing the chances for foodborne illnesses resulting from contaminated products reaching consumers. Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers. You can use the red Clear Form button to clear all the information from your budget when you are finished.Sample Budget Worksheet. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2010. Red-fleshed watermelon is high in lycopene, another potent antioxidant with cancer-preventing properties. All agricultural operations in Pennsylvania, including small-scale and part-time farming enterprises, operate under the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. Watermelon. Many of the pesticides required for watermelon production are restricted-use pesticides and re quire a pesticide license to purchase. Watermelons grow best on soils that hold water well and have good air and water infiltration rates. Included in this publication is an annual fresh-market watermelon production budget. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Its origin was verified by David Livingstone (the noted missionary explorer) in the 1850s, when he found great tracts of watermelon (called kengwe ) growing wild in the Kalahari Desert and semi-tropical regions of Africa. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley and Sons: 2006. Growing Breadfruit Tree: Best Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, Growing Tatsoi: Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, Hyssop Plant: Best Varieties, Growing Guide, Care, Problems, and Harvest, Growing Elderberries: A Complete Guide on How to Plant, Grow, & Harvest Elderberries, Growing Apple Trees: The Complete Guide to Plant, Grow, & Harvest Apples, Growing Amaranth: The Complete Guide to Plant, Grow, & Harvest Amaranth, Growing Calendula: The Complete Guide to Plant, Care and Harvest Calendula, Growing Broccoli: The Complete Guide to Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Broccoli, Edible Roses: Varieties, Growing Guide, Care, Problems, and Harvest, Growing Chives: The Complete Guide to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Chives, Growing Grapes: Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Diseases, and Harvest, Growing Stevia: Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems, and Harvest, Growing Jerusalem Artichokes: The Complete Guide to Plant, Care, and Harvest, Growing Hops: The Complete Guide to Plant, Care, & Harvest Hops, Growing Wheatgrass: How to Plant, Grow and Harvest This Nutritional Powerhouse, Growing Mache: Best Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems, and Harvest, Growing Chayotes: Best Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, Growing Peas: How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Green Peas, Growing Almonds: Best Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, Growing Black Cohosh: Best Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems and Harvest, White Currants: Best Varieties, Growing Guide, Care, Problems, and Harvest, Soil: Loamy, PH between 6.0 to 7.0, well-drained, rich in organic matter, work the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting, Sun Exposure: Full sun, at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, Start Indoors: 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date, Start Indoors (in fall): 112 to 151 days before the first frost date, Hardening Off: 7 to 10 days before transplanting, Transplant Outdoors: 2 weeks after the last frost date, Spacing: 3 to 4 feet between plants and 5 to 6 feet between rows, Depth: to 1-inch seed depth, transplant slightly deeper, Best Companions: Radish, corn, nasturtium, pumpkin, squash, citrus, Watering: Give 1 to 2 inches of water per week while the plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, Fertilizing: Apply high nitrogen fertilizer, fish emulsion or liquid manure 3 weeks after planting, and again after flowering, Common Problems: Thrips, cutworms, flea beetles, cabbage looper, aphids, aster yellows, angular leaf spot, verticillium wilt, anthracnose, Alternaria leaf blight, Alternaria leaf spot, Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew, fusarium wilt, gummy stem blight, powdery mildew, bacterial fruit blotch, blossom-end rot, mosaic, Harvest: Harvest when the tendrils closest to the fruit are beginning to dry out and turn brown, Companion planting (such as planting catnip to deter aphids). Written records indicate that watermelons were cultivated in Massachusetts as early as 1629, before 1664 by the Florida Indians, in 1673 in the Midwest, in 1747 in Connecticut (from seeds that originated in Russia), in 1799 by Indian tribes along the Colorado River, and in 1822 in Illinois. Soil temperature in the transplant containers should be maintained at 75-90F from seeding through early seedling growth. Most of the watermelons harvested in the United States are sold as fresh produce. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2004. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2009. It is also one of the most drought-resistant varieties of watermelon known. Washington, D.C.: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, 2004. Monitoring insect populations with traps and scouting will help you determine when to apply pesticides and how often to spray. University Park: Penn State Extension, 1994. Watermelon cultivars recommended for Pennsylvania are listed below. The yellow-fleshed variety is high in beta-carotene, likewise a powerful disease fighter. The budget summarizes the receipts, costs, and net returns of a watermelon enterprise. There are multiple markets for growers with 5 acres or fewer. 85 days. They grow naturally from the southwestern U.S. through South America. Historically, watermelon was cultivated fin ancient Egypt, though the culture extends back to prehistoric times. For now, feel free to continue reading. Melon is a delicious fruit packed with nutrition. In recent years, the production of seedless (triploid) watermelons has equaled or surpassed the production of seeded (diploid) watermelons in Pennsylvania. The skin is pink with dark purple arils. These programs set standards for worker hygiene, use of manure, and water supply quality. For seedless watermelon production, a pollinator variety is required: Use a seeded watermelon variety with a distinctly different shape or appearance from the seedless variety that you are growing.