Post-Harvest Practices to Preserve Watermelon Quality

Post-Harvest Practices to Preserve Watermelon Quality

June 20-21, 2025 marks the 69th year of celebrating the Panhandle Watermelon Festival in Chipley, Florida where you can enjoy free family friendly entertainment and compete in the Big Melon Contest for cash prizes. Whether you are a home gardener or a commercial...
Panhandle Blueberry Yield Outlook still Positive

Panhandle Blueberry Yield Outlook still Positive

Blueberry harvest is less than a month away in the central Panhandle. Although the Florida Panhandle has been hit with excessive rainfall this spring, blueberry yields are on track to be above average. Colder winter temperatures, coupled with wet spring weather has...

Cotton Harvest is Running Behind

It’s early November and there is still a great deal of cotton to be picked in Northwest Florida. Yield reports from Jackson County have been well below the norm, with yields being reported between 400 -1100 lbs. of lint per acre. Additionally, there have been some...
Cotton Harvest Begins as Tropical Storm Approaches

Cotton Harvest Begins as Tropical Storm Approaches

Harvest has begun in a few early planted fields around Northwest Florida this week. Additionally, some defoliant applications were made as well. Tropical Storm “Karen” is projected to be felt in the Florida Panhandle sometime this Sunday. The imminent rain and winds...
Peanut Harvest is Just Beginning

Peanut Harvest is Just Beginning

Peanut harvest is beginning in some of the earliest planted Florida Panhandle fields. So far yield and grades have been decent, but only a handful of acres have been harvested. Dr. David Wright, UF/IFAS Agronomist, offers the following reminders about peanut digging...