Virginia’s agricultural landscape often faces unpredictable challenges, yet dedicated farmers consistently demonstrate remarkable resilience, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce for consumers. This summer, despite unusually heavy rainfall across the commonwealth, watermelon growers achieved a notable triumph, yielding a bountiful harvest that underscores the adaptability and strategic planning inherent in modern farming practices.
At the forefront of this success is Trey Reese of Reese Farms Inc. in Scottsburg, Halifax County, who commenced harvesting his extensive 70-plus acres of watermelons around the beginning of July. While the timing precluded him from supplying the traditional wholesale rush leading up to the Fourth of July, Reese expressed gratitude for what has, overall, been a relatively smooth cultivation season, a testament to meticulous farm management.
The season presented significant climatic hurdles. By July 29, Scottsburg had recorded over eight inches of rain throughout the month, a figure that dramatically doubled the area’s historical average for July, according to meteorological data. This excessive precipitation created an environment ripe for agricultural complications, pushing the limits of traditional farming methods.
Further exacerbating the conditions, remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal swept through Halifax County in early July, causing localized flooding and temporary road closures. Fortunately, Reese Farms Inc. skillfully navigated these adverse weather events, with the watermelon crops remarkably escaping the worst of the storm’s impact, a critical factor in the successful yield.
Reese emphasized a crucial aspect of their farming philosophy: “We have access to pond water, so we’d rather have a dry year than a wet year, because you can put it on but you can’t take it off.” This perspective highlights the proactive measures available for irrigation during droughts versus the inherent difficulties in mitigating the negative effects of excessive moisture, such as promoting funguses, molds, and mildews that demand intensive management.
Despite the persistent wet conditions leading up to the early July harvest, the resilience of the Virginia farmers has ensured a promising yield. Their classic Sugar Babies, standard red seedless, and vibrant yellow seedless melons are currently delighting eager farm market customers throughout the region, including popular farmers markets in Northern Virginia. Additionally, the farm strategically utilizes seeded Estrella watermelons for effective pollination of their highly prized seedless Black Jacks, celebrated for their distinct dark skin, exceptional sweetness, and crisp texture.
Consumers seeking these high-quality Virginia watermelons and a variety of other seasonal local produce can find them at Reese Farms Inc.’s onsite farm store. Furthermore, the farm supplies prominent farmers markets in Fairfax County, specifically those in Herndon, McLean, and Reston, ensuring broad access to their fresh goods. The expectation is for ample melon offerings to continue through September, seamlessly transitioning into the farm’s pumpkin season, a testament to the diverse and dynamic nature of sustainable agriculture in the region.
