PUNTA GORDA, FL — Melon 1 officially launches its 2026 domestic watermelon season with strong early harvests underway in Florida and an expanded growing program that will continue moving up the East Coast and into key Midwest regions throughout the summer, according to a press release by the company, based on the Brooklyn (NY) Terminal Market.
This season, Melon 1 is growing a diverse mix of watermelon varieties including seedless, seeded, yellow watermelons, and specialty Black Jacks. Harvesting began in Florida in May and will continue through June, with Georgia harvests expected to begin in early June and run through the end of July.
Additional regional production will then follow along the East Coast throughout the summer season across South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Indiana, supporting consistent summer supply and ongoing distribution.
The company reports strong early yields and high-quality fruit coming out of the fields as retailers prepare for peak summer watermelon demand heading into Memorial Day and the broader summer selling season. Florida-grown watermelons are already arriving at retail locations across the East Coast, Midwest, and Canada as consumer demand continues to build.
“The crop looks excellent, and we’re seeing strong yields coming out of the fields,” said Trey Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Melon 1.