Watermelon Month is in July - Learn About This Fruit Now

Watermelon History 

• Originated in Africa somewhere around the Kalahari Desert.
• Watermelons were cultivated in China by the 10th Century
• China, is the world's single largest watermelon producer.  
• By 1629 farmers in Massachusetts were growing watermelons, with some people believing African immigrants and slaves introduced the fruit to America.
• Native Americans adapted them to their diet and grew them by 1664

• The Charleston Gray watermelon was developed in 1954 by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service 
  • It was the dominant watermelon grown commercially and by home gardeners for decades
  • The rind is glossier before ripened
  • The rind becomes more satin or matte when ready to eat
  • Source: index : USDA ARS
  • Seeds mature at least 85 days after planting
  • Organic seed and plant sources still carry the Charleston Gray.
    •  Charleston Gray Watermelon – Bonnie Plants

Watermelon Statistics

• Florida, Georgia, California, and Texas account for most U.S. watermelon production
• Seedless varieties are in increasing demand
• Seedless watermelon of the total watermelon shipments in the United States increased
  • From 51% in 2003
  • To 83% in 2012

• US Watermelon Imports:
  • 2018: 13,266,000
  • 2019:   9,832,000
  • 2020: 13,154,000
  • 2021: 21,892,000
  • 2022    1,932,000   (Jan-Mar)

Watermelon is the least expensive fruit on a per cup equivalent basis

Determining a ripe watermelon in the garden

• A light green to white "bald spot" is visible on the bottom where the fruit rests on the soi
• This bald spot will change from pale yellow or cream when the watermelon is ripe
• Growing watermelon guide from Bonnie Plants.
• Watermelon Grades and Standards | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov)

Watermelon Nutrients

• Watermelons are about 6 percent sugar and 91 percent water.
• They are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene.
• Medicinal use for watermelon rinds 
• Versatile Nutraceutical Potentials of Watermelon-A Modest Fruit Loaded with Pharmaceutically Valuable Phytochemicals - PubMed (nih.gov)
• USDA Revises U.S. Standards for Watermelon including adjusting the range of average weight from 20-42 to 10-34 pounds to align with current marketing trends. The revisions were published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2021, and become effective on September 20, 2021.
• Watermelon | SNAP-Ed (usda.gov)  
  • *Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a federally funded grant program. 
  • It is an evidence-based program that helps people lead healthy, active lives by partnering with state and local organizations.
  • Find Recipes with Watermelon
  • Learn About Watermelon
  • Teach About Watermelon 

watermelon.pdf (usda.gov)

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