North Florida watermelon producers are expected to start planting this week in the Suwanee Valley area. Warmer temperatures and the potential for high market prices early in the season are enticing growers to go ahead and start planting earlier than normal.
UF/IFAS Extension
2023 Vegetable Production Handbooks and Manuals
Land Grant University researchers and Cooperative Extension Specialists collaborate to provide these valuable resources for the vegetable industry. These manuals are updated annually.
Pest management in watermelon
Fumigation is the process of releasing fumigants to suffocate and kill certain pests within the soil. These include soil-borne pests, weeds and nematodes.
UF/IFAS evaluates MELCAST system
MELCAST advises producers to begin their fungicide spray program when the vines touch within a row. Growers can continue their spray plans based upon the environmental factors in that field, such as temperature, relative humidity and leaf wetness.
Florida Watermelon Disease Update | June 2, 2022
The main disease seen on watermelon at this time is gummy stem blight. Producers of watermelons should continue to scout regularly for downy mildew and powdery mildew.
Watermelon Crop News | June 2022
North Florida producers have a finite harvest window following the production from the southern part of the state and preceding South Georgia production.
Cucurbit Crop & Disease Management News | June 2022
Cucurbit Crop and Disease updates from plant pathologists and cooperative extension agents in the South and Midwest.
Management of Gummy Stem Blight
UF/IFAS Extension confirmed this week that gummy stem blight disease is beginning to become a problem for Florida watermelons. Gummy stem blight causes lesions on leaves and stems and leads to defoliation. The disease favors warm, wet conditions.
