Melons love warmth, since they are from the hot Mediterranean, so the sultry summers in the San Joaquin Valley are perfect. Growers here say that harvest started about a week earlier than normal this year. Last year, harvest was about a week late because of a cool La Nina Spring. Two years ago, harvest began about two weeks late, because of a wet El Nino Spring. With this weather pattern, sugar content should be very high.
Most growers also say that acreage in the Westside District is just about the same as last year.
If yields are higher because of better growing conditions, we should see a great season for melons. In cooperation with the California Department of Health Services, we'd like to remind you to be foodsafe and wash your melons before you cut them. Melons do grow in dirt and need to be washed to prevent cross-contamination. Also, keep cut melons refrigerated. If cut melons are unrefrigerated for more than three hours, toss it.