Melons
With crops in the ground, Florida watermelon growers face uncertainty
Today, as fruit and vegetable farmers in south Florida decide what to do with produce once destined for now-closed schools and restaurants, watermelon farmers in north Florida have recently finished planting their crop. Given the... more »
Take care with postharvest cantaloupe, summer squash
Cantaloupe and summer squash are important cucurbits in the Southeastern U.S. but how they’re handled postharvest is key to shelf life and quality. For cantaloupe, poor handling is the No. 1 cause of postharvest quality... more »
California vegetable value goes up while acres down
The value of California’s 2019 utilized vegetable production rose to $7.864 billion, 7.3% above the 2018 value according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Pacific Regional Field Office. Increases in the value of... more »
Penn State Extension offers cucurbit production program for growers
Produce growers and agriculture entrepreneurs will get a comprehensive look at cucurbit production and culture in the Mid-Atlantic region in a day-long “Cucurbit Production School” offered by Penn State Extension on Feb. 28 at the... more »
Penn State Extension offers cucurbit production program for growers
Produce growers and agriculture entrepreneurs will get a comprehensive look at cucurbit production and culture in the Mid-Atlantic region in a day-long “Cucurbit Production School” offered by Penn State Extension on Feb. 28 at the... more »
Watermelon powder found healthy in mice study
Eating watermelon in the form of powdered supplements helped adult obese mice avoid some detrimental health effects of an unhealthy diet, according to a new Oregon State University study. The study is published in the Journal of... more »
Carolina Strongback beats nematodes, fusarium
Carolina Strongback’s the name. Protecting melons is the game. A watermelon tough enough to handle the fusarium wilt and soil nematodes has been bred by scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Clemson... more »
Nominees sought for watermelon promotion board
The USDA recently announced that it is seeking nominations of qualified watermelon producers and handlers for four seats on the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Secretary Sonny Perdue will appoint individuals to serve terms of office... more »