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Although the majority of watermelons grown and purchased in the California are seedless, they need to keep growing some with seeds for  festivals and events in which watermelon seed-spitting contests are a tradition.

Watermelon Growing in California

•  Statewide, watermelons are planted from December to early July. Limited supplies of California watermelons are available beginning in May. Production peaks in August, and the season ends in November.
• When taking one of your favorite California road trips, look for melons growing in fields in Central Valley and Southern California counties: Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Kern, Tulare, Imperial and Riverside.
• The State of California is one of the nation’s top 4 growers of watermelons.
• Texas, Florida, Georgia and California produce approx. 69% of all watermelons grown in the U.S.

Watermelon Fun Has Begun!

• This Father’s Day BBQ is a great time to include watermelon desserts.
• San Diego County Fair through July 4, 2018 includes daily watermelon seed-spitting contests, a tradition year after year.
• Slice of Chico watermelon festival is July 13-14.
• L.A.’s Watermelon Festival takes place July 28-29.
• 4th of July festivals throughout the state (just 4 weeks away) include watermelon games and contests.

Picking a Watermelon

• Look for firm, symmetrical melons free from cuts or bruises.
• Lift it up — it should be heavy since most its weight is water.
• Turn it over and look for a creamy, yellow spot where it sat on its belly on the ground and ripened under the sun.

Types of Watermelons

Unless you prefer seeds, you’ll probably pick a seedless watermelon this year like 80-85% of consumers do. Here are a few seedless varieties:

• Fandango
• Super Cool
• Nova
• Laurel
• Wonderland
• Fire Cracker
• Quality
• Ultra Cool
• Millionaire