East Texans can expect sweeter watermelons this season

GRAPELAND, Texas ( KETK ) — East Texas farm stand owners are racing to Wade Pennington and Sons farm to get their hands on sweet watermelons.

The sandy East Texas soil and warm springs are key factors in creating the sweetest melons. However, this year’s weather and severe storms have caused crops to take longer than expected.

“We got started late this year, we usually start around June the first, it was about the 15th before we got started,” LaWanda Pennington, co-owner of Wade Pennington and Sons, said.

The Pennington family raises over 500 acres of watermelon but this year’s excess rain caused even more problems for the fruit.

“We lost a few acres, it was pretty rough on us and we had to fight some diseases because of that too,” Ross Pennington, manager of Wade Pennington and Sons, said.

Even though many East Texans do not enjoy the heat, the hot weather is actually good for watermelons.

“It’s good, it helps them get ready, helps them get sweeter, helps the plants grow,” Ross said.

The farm is hopeful they will have watermelons available through September, but know it all depends on the summer ahead.

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