For the best prices, growers aim for harvest to begin around the middle of June and climaxing before July 4. However, growers would have liked to harvest even earlier. Smith County agent Charles Waldrup said Florida growers experienced a similar freeze and replanting situation resulting in a later crop for them. Competition with Florida's late melons has hurt Mississippi's watermelon prices. Watermelon is an expensive crop to grow.
Every dollar counts.
After the freeze and replanting, this year's crop has been relatively easy to produce with little or no disease or insect problems. Mississippi producers planted about 8,500 acres last year. The primary watermelon counties are Jefferson Davis, Wayne and Smith.