Jackson Farming Co., one of the premiere grower/packer/shippers of quality fruits and vegetables in North Carolina, is gearing up for a successful watermelon harvest. The company’s manifest includes both seeded and seedless watermelons, honeydews and Sprites. “We have added Caribbean Gold cantaloupes to the mix with Athena cantaloupes,” Vice President of Operations/Supply Chain Matt Solana told The Produce News.

Jackson Farming, which is headquartered in Fayetteville, NC, grows watermelons on 400 acres in Florida and another 500 acres in North Carolina. “We have added 225 acres in Georgia this year of seedless watermelons,” he noted.

In addition to watermelons, the company also grows and markets strawberries, broccoli and sweet potatoes.

Solana said weather has been a factor for watermelons this growing season. “The rain has been a hindrance trying to get into the fields to prepare the soil and dealing with cooler temperatures and frost in North Florida and Georgia after the first plantings were put in,” he explained. “Some dry sunny days would be welcome. Looks like we will get a little later start in Sarasota than planned. But if the temperatures will get closer to the seasonal norm, North Florida and South Georgia should be fine for the July 4 buildup.”

The company was still laying plastic in North Carolina at the beginning of April. “The first sets have entered our green houses to be ready to transplant around April 15, which would have us on track,” he said.

Watermelon production will begin in Sarasota, FL, the first week of May, ramping up around Memorial Day and finishing at the beginning of June. “In McAlpin, FL, we get started the first week in June and ramp up for the 4th of July and end the first week in July,” Solana commented. Production at the new Georgia farm will commence in mid-June, with peak volume moving around July 4. The Georgia season will finish in mid-July.

“Here in Autryville, NC, we will start right around the Fourth of July with peak volume in mid-July and then run until Sept. 30, weather permitting with the later spacings. So we should have a good supply of watermelons once we get started in Sarasota with more available for the July 4th event than we have had the past couple of years.”

While quality for the season can’t be predicted at this stage, he said, “As always, Mother Nature will make her presence known. If we can stay dry and sunny with occasional showers, we will have an excellent season.”

Watermelons are marketed under the “Jackson Farming Co.” label primarily to chain store customers in the Mid-Atlantic region.