Watermelon crop lacked the heat to flourish

Temperatures have begun to approach the searing stage; however, earlier this year the cooler-than-normal temperatures left South Carolina’s watermelon crop without the heat to fully flourish.  Questions are raised whether the melons will have their normal succulent taste.  Watermelons, says Clemson researcher Tom Keinath, are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees.  Melon seeds do not germinate well in cold soil.  The South Carolina crop was harvested later than usual and there was a significant delay in soil temperatures reaching 81 degrees, resulting in a higher chance for plants to be infected by the plant fungi Fusarium.  The South Carolina season begins with planting in March and April and lasts, in some areas, until June.