Watermelon Cantaloupe and Cucumber
Vine Crops in Mississippi
Watermelons were once grown on more acres than any other vegetable crop in Mississippi. The decline in production is due to three factors: the conservation reserve program has taken many fields out of the production cycle, the invasion of other areas into the market window due to improved varieties and growing techniques, and the cool, wet spring weather has hampered crop establishment for the last several years.
Mississippi is known as a Jubilee type watermelon area, but Allsweet types are being grown more with improved varieties. Watermelons are shipped out of state on a regular basis.
Cantaloupes are grown on 400 to 500 acres in Mississippi, primarily for local sales. Both eastern and western types are grown to meet local demand.
Cucumber production is also done to meet local demand. Both pickling and slicing types are grown.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you tell the difference between pickling and slicing cucumbers?
- What is the difference between eastern and western cantaloupe?
- Why are my young watermelon leaves crinkled and pale?
- What plant spacing is recommended for watermelon, cantaloupe or cucumber?
- Can you transplant cucumbers and watermelon?
- Do cantaloupe and cucumber cross?
- How do I control sicklepod in watermelon?
- What is this watermelon seed agreement I have to sign to buy seed?
- Should I trellis cucumbers?
News
One month ago, watermelon production in southeast Mississippi was on track. Now, growers there have lost much of their crop to the summer’s wet weather.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Watermelon production is on track despite cool weather at planting.
“I’ve been in our watermelon fields a good bit over the past several days,” Heath Steede, Mississippi State University Extension agent in George County, said on June 9. “The crop looks really good. We had a slow start with the cool nights this spring, but they caught up later. The watermelons are stacked in there, and we’ll have a good crop as far as the number of melons.”
Continuous rains, however, have Steede a little concerned.
Good spring weather conditions in southeast Mississippi kept watermelon production on track.
Some Mississippi watermelon producers lost crops or got a late start because of wet spring weather. But consumers should find the sweet, summer treats on shelves in time for the July 4 holiday.
