July 13, 206
Watermelon Carved Whales, front and back views
Watermelon is the most popular holiday fruit with around 700 million pounds consumed during the week of July 4th. From “eating races” and seed-spitting” contests to “grower competitions”, prizes are awarded annually to participants across the United States.
If you are thinking about growing watermelon in your garden, here are some things to consider:
There are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon globally which are categorized into the following types:
Picnic: Large, oblong or round melons. Typically weigh 15 – 45 pounds. (Charleston Gray)
Icebox (Mini): Round or oval melons. They weigh 5-15 pounds. (Sugar Baby)
Personal: Ultra-compact, single-serving melons, weight 3-7 pounds. (Mini Love or Golden Midget)
Seedless: Most common commercial variety specially bred to contain no mature black seeds.
Yellow/Orange Fleshed: Colorful interiors instead of red. (Orangelo or Yellow Doll)
In our Zone 8 climate, these are a few the varieties you might want to try:
Crimson Sweet: This variety is recognized as the most popular and is prized by home gardeners and commercial growers alike. The average weight is around 25 pounds. It features a light green rind with dark green stripes. The bright red flesh is firm and fine-textured and exceptionally sweet.
Other top varieties for Zone 8 include: Sugar Baby, Charleston Gray and Jubilee.
And finally, if you are craving watermelon, here are several reasons why:
*Watermelon is composed of about 92% water, making it one of the most hydrating foods available.
*Watermelon is a natural sugar fix. It provides natural sugars in the form of fructose, offering a subtle yet effective energy surge without the pitfalls of processed sugars.
*Watermelon is a rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known for its numerous health advantages.
*It is an electrolyte balance. Potassium, an essential electrolyte found in watermelon, helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals.
*Watermelon is a good source of Vitamin C, vital for skin health, immune function and the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
*Dietary Fiber. Though it’s mostly water, watermelon also offers dietary fiber which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.
Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008
Read Jon Maxwell’s article on Black Diamond Watermelon here.
