Farm Facts: Watermelon
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Ready for some farm facts about watermelon? Harvested between July and Labor Day, the watermelon is the most consumed melon in the United States. Over 6 percent of all watermelons grown in the U.S. each year are grown in Indiana. Each harvesting season, more than 7,500 acres of watermelons are grown in Indiana and Illinois. Consider the following facts about watermelons:
- The watermelon fruit is about 90 percent water.
- More than 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide.
- Watermelons vary in size from the 5-pound Sugar Baby to the 40-pound Jubilee.
- It takes a watermelon 80 to 95 days to become full-grown, and it is ready to harvest when the part of the rind touching the ground changes from white to pale yellow.
- Scientists believe the watermelon originated in tropical Africa.
- Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, the watermelon is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamins B6 and B1.
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Watermelon Recipes:
- Watermelon Tomato Salad With Feta Cheese: Two favorite summer flavors, watermelon and tomato, mix with red onions, basil, lime juice and feta cheese for a fruit salad that tastes like summer.
- Watermelon Gazpacho: Juicy watermelon combines with garden herbs, bell peppers and cucumbers to create this summer soup that requires no cooking.
- Watermelon Strawberry Mint Salsa: This easy salsa packs a spicy punch, cooled down by the sweetness of the berries and watermelon.
Sources: Illiana Watermelon Association and the National Watermelon Association
My Indiana Home is produced for Indiana Farm Bureau members. Our mission is to connect you with the food you eat, the Indiana farmers who grow it and a rural lifestyle that is uniquely Hoosier.
Paul Petraitis
August 18, 2018 at 11:32 pm
How far north can watermelons thrive?
Kelly Jordan
August 31, 2023 at 4:37 pm
I’m in Colorado and I bought an Indiana grown watermelon at my local Walmart. Wow! Outstanding! I just got a 2nd one!I don’t know how to contact the growers but I sure hope they know I think they’re watermelons are EXCELLENT!
LaVerne Laxen
May 4, 2020 at 8:43 am
My Dad grew watermelons in Greene Co. Indiana during the 40-50’s as a seasonal crop. He called them apple seed. It was heavy round dark green with a lighter stripe and dark black seeds. With so many varieties,and with a fading memory I can’t remember the exact variety or how one might currently find these heirloom seeds Thanks, DLL
Brian Cross
July 26, 2020 at 10:40 pm
I live in Posey County IN. Posey County has a great name for growing Watermelon. The thing is they are grown in Gibson County but were shipped from Posey County by Rail, back in the day. I just had one today and it was so good!