Watermelons in Texas Crop Briefs were prepared by Dr. Dudley Smith, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Dr. Juan Anisco, Texas Agricultural Extension Service Watermelon Production Texas ranks 3rd in U.S. production.
Watermelons are the state's largest annual horticultural crop.
Over 42,000 acres are grown throughout Texas in over 100 counties. Roadside market melons come from smaller acreage and part-time farmers. Cultivar selection is an important management decision in combating pests and meeting market windows. Populations vary from 2,000 to 3,000 plants per acre, and can be grown under a wide array of irrigation practices or dryland. Insect Pests Annually occurring insects include whiteflies, aphids, mites, lepidopteran worms, leafminers, squash bugs, and thrips.