Buying and Growing Watermelons

Add watermelons to your food or agricultural business
By Mary Beth Doyle Watermelons can grow in most areas of the United States, but the plant definitely prefers warmer climates and longer growing seasons like those found in the southern regions. Watermelons come in several different varieties based on the length of their growing season. For example, most seedless watermelons need 80 to 85 days to harvest.

If growing watermelons is not part of your business plan, you can still add this nutritious crop to your food business. There are a variety of watermelon growers out there, including those that grow organic watermelon, that will distribute wholesale watermelon in all corners of the country. Before you enter the watermelon business, ask yourself the following:

1. Do you want to purchase watermelon seeds in order to grow watermelon on your own?

2. Would you prefer to buy watermelons from watermelon producers and wholesalers?

3. Do you want to focus on watermelon companies that offer organic watermelons?

Grow your own watermelons

Watermelons grow best in sandy loam soil, and they need plenty of space in order to grow to their fullest potential. When purchasing watermelon seeds, choose ones that will grow best in your soil and climate conditions, just as you would any other plant.
Try:  Park Seed Company is an online supplier of various watermelon seeds, including Charleston Jr., Everglade Hybrid and Jenny Hybrid varieties. Check out Main Street Seed & Supply Company for Sugar Baby, Black Diamond, Crimson Sweet, Charleston Gray and Triple Crown watermelon seeds.

Choose from watermelon producers across the country

Fresh, quality watermelon can be had even without growing it on your own. Research the many watermelon companies out there, and choose ones that seem to focus on the type of watermelon you or your customers want most.
Try:  Timco Worldwide started out as a produce distributor specializing in watermelon. The company has since grown and added cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, tomato and bell pepper to its produce offerings. What-A-Melon is one of the watermelon suppliers in Texas that distributes this juicy summertime treat nationwide.

Find organic watermelon growers and distributors

Take freshness and quality one step further by exploring organic watermelon. Just like most produce today, the cost of organic watermelon has gone down as more and more customers are eating up the stuff.
Try:  Melissa’s/World Variety Produce supplies organic mini yellow seedless watermelon to customers worldwide, from April through August. Diamond Organics is another good source of organic watermelon, offering organic Yellow Doll watermelons and organic seedless watermelon.

• There is plenty of information on watermelons online to help you learn how to grow watermelon successfully. Also ask your local nursery or local watermelon farms for helpful growing tips.