By Clint Thompson Watermelon season is in full swing throughout Florida. The South Florida crop is currently being harvested, while the North Florida plantings are progressing with an aim towards the Memorial Day harvest window. Laura Land, a watermelon farmer from Branford, Florida, and member of the Florida Watermelon Association, discussed the harvest timeline that Florida growers can expect over …
Timeline for Florida Watermelon Season
By Clint Thompson Watermelon season is in full swing throughout Florida. The South Florida crop is currently being harvested, while the North Florida plantings are progressing with an aim towards the Memorial Day harvest window. Laura Land, a watermelon farmer from Branford, Florida, and member of the Florida Watermelon Association, discussed the harvest timeline that Florida growers can expect over …
Drought Expanding Across Southeast
Dry conditions are expanding across the Southeast region. Abnormally dry conditions are widespread across southern Alabama. Southwest and southeast Georgia are anywhere from abnormally dry to moderately dry, while southern Florida is either moderately dry or severely dry, according to last Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s dry conditions start as far west as Washington and Mobile counties …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Florida Mostly Moderately Dry
Florida remains mostly moderately dry. The southern area of Alabama is abnormally dry, as are the southwestern and southeastern areas of Georgia. That is according to last week’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s worst conditions of moderate drought start as far north as Taylor and Lafayette counties and stretch southward to Monroe and Miami-Dade counties. Severe conditions are …
California Floods Affect Florida’s Strawberry Production
By Clint Thompson The current weather crisis in California is impacting Florida’s strawberry harvests. One producer said he is picking additional fruit this time of year amid the floods out west. “I go until April normally with some of them, but we’re going a little longer than normal because California is in disarray with all the weather they’ve been getting. …
California Floods Impacting Florida’s Strawberry Harvests
By Clint Thompson The current weather crisis in California is impacting Florida’s strawberry harvests. One producer said he is picking additional fruit this time of year amid the floods out west. “I go until April normally with some of them, but we’re going a little longer than normal because California is in disarray with all the weather they’ve been getting. …
Possible Early-Market Access Encourages Earlier Planting for North Florida Melon Farmers
By Clint Thompson The early-market watermelon window in May prompted North Florida producers to begin planting their crop earlier this season. Some were even finished planting by the first couple of days of March, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I would say that over …
Florida Blueberry Harvest Window Extended This Year
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry harvest season is under way and projected to last well into May, says grower Ryan Atwood. The Christmas freeze event and subsequent sub-freezing temperatures in early January contributed to the state having a longer harvest window this year. “It looks like a good crop. It’s pretty spread out and not very concentrated. All over the …
DeSantis Along with State Cabinet Approve Florida Land Deals
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 13, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Monday approved plans to spend more than $46 million to help keep from development 21,000 acres in five counties. The deals included two land purchases under the Florida Forever program and acquiring three conservation easements, which will allow landowners to continue cattle and hunting operations in exchange for …
Potential Early-Market Access Prompts North Florida Melon Farmers to Plant Earlier
By Clint Thompson The early-market watermelon window in May prompted North Florida producers to begin planting their crop earlier this season. Some were even finished planting by the first couple of days of March, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I would say that …