Watermelon season in the US starts in summer from May and stays till September, with peak season being in July and August. You may think, “When are watermelons in season?” The answer may vary from region to region; for example, in Florida, watermelon harvesting starts earlier than in other places. In Florida, harvesting begins as early as April and runs through September, with a second, smaller harvest from December to April. In California, the season runs from May through October, once you account for both the Imperial Valley and San Joaquin Valley harvests.
Under this guide, we will discuss the favorable season for watermelon in Florida and California and when the season ends. Also explore the black diamond variety, different types of watermelon, and some tips to identify ripe watermelon, along with the correct way to store it.
Quick Answer
Watermelon season usually starts in May and ends in September in the United States. The peak is in July and August. In the southern region, like Florida, the harvest starts in April, and in the northern regions, the fruits wrap up from September till early October.
When Are Watermelons In Season?
The season of watermelon starts from May until September in the summer season. However, the watermelon season in Florida and California, along with black diamond watermelon, varies a little due to weather and other factors.
The peak of watermelon comes in July and August when you can find fully ripe, sweet watermelons easily in the market. Watermelon is a summer fruit in warm weather regions like Florida; the watermelon harvesting season extends from April to September, whereas in Texas, California, and Arizona, the fruit is harvested between May and September, and in New York or Massachusetts, the fruit is harvested in July and ends in late August.
Moving further, take a look at the harvesting seasons of watermelon in Florida and California, and also know the harvesting season of black diamond watermelons in detail.
YourHomify Insight
According to the USDA, 10-40% of watermelons in the US are imported from Mexico, which can be enjoyed year-long. They are fresh and tasty, but the travel can rupture them a little.
When Are Watermelons In Season In Florida?
The main watermelon season in Florida runs from April to September, but they also produce watermelon from December to April; this is counted as the second season of watermelon. Florida is a warmer region, and that’s why there are two seasons, and the production rate there is also very high. As mentioned in the USDA stats, they are the leading producer of watermelon in the nation. You can find fresh watermelon here even in the off-season.
Yourhomify Insight
If you are purchasing watermelon in the off-season, ensure that you are checking the shape, the field spot, and the bruises. Also, if the watermelon is too shiny, it will take time to ripen and will taste like nothing.
When Are Watermelons In Season In California?
In California, the watermelon season runs from May through October. The region is cold; that’s why the watermelon season comes late compared to others.
There are different regions in California, and the harvest season is different in all the regions due to climatic differences. In the Imperial Valley, harvesting begins from April to July because of the high temperatures. After that, summer arrives in the north, in the San Joaquin Valley, and harvesting starts from July and lasts till October. Just after that, the second growing season starts in the Imperial Valley.
When Are Black Diamond Watermelons In Season?
Black diamond watermelon is an open-pollinated variety of watermelon. These are available from mid to late summer, which is from July to September. These fruits are black in color, weigh up to 50 lbs, and are usually larger in size.
In taste, they are very sweet and crisp, and the flesh of the fruit is bright red. This variety is drought-tolerant and can easily survive with less frequent watering as well. It usually takes 90 days to get fully mature and be harvested.
What Are The Different Varieties Of Watermelon?
Seeded, seedless, mini, and yellow are the main varieties of watermelon. There are, moreover, 50 varieties of watermelon; each of them has some different traits like juiciness, tenderness, sweetness, etc. Take a look at the traits of the main varieties of watermelon.
1. Seeded
As the name suggests, this variety grows with dark black seeds inside. The outer surface is green in color with some yellow strips or patches; then comes the flesh that is red or pink in color and has black seeds. This is available in round, long, and oblong sizes. They weigh 15 to 45 pounds. These seeds are edible and pose no harm. You can also gather the seeds and plant them in soil. There are different varieties of this, like Black Diamond, Charleston Gray, and Allsweet.
2. Seedless
Seedless watermelons are not a naturally occurring variety. These were developed using a hybrid breeding technique. This variety was created by crossbreeding a diploid and a tetraploid watermelon; they produced a sterile triploid hybrid that cannot develop mature seeds. These are green from the outside, and the inner flesh is red in color; however, most fruits of this variety have no seeds, but some may contain white seeds. These seeds are not harmful and safe to consume.
3. Mini
The smallest variety of watermelons is called mini watermelons. Mini watermelons also come in both seeded and seedless varieties. These are small and round in size and usually weigh between 1 and 7 pounds. These have green and white strips all over with a hard cover.
Usually the flesh is deep red and pink, but some varieties have yellow, orange, and white flesh. They are as tasty as the larger ones. It also ripens early in just 65 to 75 days. This variety is available year-round.
4. Yellow and Orange
The inner flesh of these watermelons is yellow or orange in color; this is due to a lack of lycopene in this variety. Lycopene is the reason for the red color of watermelon. This variety is sweeter than the usual red watermelons, and it comes in both seeded and seedless varieties. These are round in shape, and the weight is usually between 10 and 30 pounds. This variety takes 3 months to harvest.
How To Pick A Ripe Watermelon?
Remember, while picking a watermelon, the skin should be green with no bruises; it should feel extra heavy because of water; with yellow spots all over; and it should feel hollow while knocking. Take a look at the points in detail so you can choose a ripe watermelon easily.
Skin: The skin of the watermelon should be green with yellow strips or patches. Check that there are no bruises, there is no blacking or greyish growth, and the outer is not flabby. However, the black diamond watermelon is an exception; the outer layer of this variety is black.
Size: Except for the mini watermelon, others weigh between 40 and 50 pounds, and the weight usually feels heavier than it looks as the fruit holds 92% water.
Spot: Ensure that there is a creamy yellow spot on the underside; it shows that the fruit is on the ground and ripened under the sun.
Hollow: The knocking test is also important; check the fruit by knocking on it. If it sounds deep and hollow, then it is fully ripe and perfect for eating.
How To Store Watermelons?
A whole watermelon can be kept for 7 days at room temperature. If you have sliced it, then you must keep it in the refrigerator below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will stay fresh for 5 days. The watermelon can get mushy if kept at room temperature for a long time.
While storing in the fridge, wrap the exposed area with plastic wrap or just keep it in a sealed container so it won’t dry out or absorb dirt and odor. California watermelons can last for 3 weeks if kept in the refrigerator without slicing. Keeping the watermelon in the freezer can make it rigid, which can lead to the fruit turning mushy and bland once it is back to normal temperature.
Year-Round Availability: What Happens After US Season Ends ?
The season of watermelon usually ends in September, but it can vary in different regions .
Watermelon season ends in September in Florida, with the secondary harvest extending availability from December through April.
After the official season of watermelon comes to a close in September, harvesting starts in Central America and Mexico, and it ends around April. So the season usually runs a full year, but for fresh and tasty watermelon, the peak summer season that is from July to August is the best.
After the official season of watermelon comes to a close in September, harvesting starts in Central America and Mexico, and it ends around April. So the season usually runs a full year, but for fresh and tasty watermelon, the peak summer season that is from July to August is the best
Conclusion
The clear answer to “When is watermelon in season” is from May to September, with July to August being the peak of watermelon season. However, in Florida, the harvest starts in April and lasts till September, whereas in California the season runs from May through October, with peak availability in July and August . Black diamond watermelons are harvested between July and September.
While purchasing, check whether the fruit is properly ripe or not; you can follow the points. You can store and keep this fruit for 1 week easily.
FAQs
Where are most watermelons grown in California?
Most watermelons are grown in the Central Valley and the southern desert regions. The watermelon season in California starts in May and ends in October.
What are the best months to buy watermelon?
The peak season of watermelon is from July to August. The season usually starts in May and lasts till October.
When’s the best time to buy watermelon in Florida?
In Florida, you can find fresh watermelon from April until September; the harvest period of Florida is longer than in other states.
What color watermelon is sweetest?
The orange and yellow watermelons are the sweetest variety. Due to low lycopene, watermelon color is not red.
How to tell if a watermelon is ripe and sweet?
Signs of a ripe watermelon include heavier weight, green skin with yellow stripes, and no bruises. Also check for a creamy yellow spot on the underside. Lastly, knock on the fruit; if it’s hollow, it is time to harvest.
- How Long Is Watermelon Season And When Does It Officially End?– Yahoo Lifestyle
