If you’re looking for the best Florida watermelon farms to visit this summer, there are a few good options to choose from making it a fun summer activity for the whole family.

You may not have the opportunity to pick your own Florida watermelons but you’ll be able to get your hands on a variety of fresh, quality watermelons grown by your local watermelon farmers.

Summer is the perfect time for stocking up on this thirst-quenching fruit. Especially when it comes to lounging by the pool. It also makes a great refreshing watermelon juice or snack for the beach. They are made up of 92% pure water so rest assured, they will keep you hydrated!

With Florida being a top watermelon-producing state in the United States you can find a lot of watermelons during the Florida watermelon season from late March to mid-July. Some of the world’s largest watermelons are found here in Florida – from South Florida to North Florida and in between.

If you prefer getting your watermelons at the grocery store, that’s an option too but going directly to the source will ensure you get the best fresh watermelon on the farm!

The Best Watermelon Farms to Visit in Florida

You may not find acres of watermelons from these Florida farms as they are not commercial farms, but they do offer a variety of the best local watermelon crop for the taking!

Jackson Farms – Grand Ridge, Florida

Jackson Farms is a sustainable family farm in North Florida that has been providing fresh-grown quality produce to the community for over 25 years. While they are not solely a watermelon farm, they have plenty of other fruit and veggie options to choose from as well.

Some of their home-grown produce includes vine-ripened tomatoes, green bell peppers, squash, snap beans, and watermelons.

Have fun picking your own fruits and veggies with the kiddos or purchase pre-packaged favorites to go!

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 7-5pm

Hunsader U-Pick Farms – Bradenton, Florida

Hunsader U-Pick Farms is located on the west coast of Florida in Bradenton. There you can find ‘U-Pick’ options that include strawberries, green beans, okra, tomatoes, eggplant, and a variety of peas.

They also have a market on the farm where they sell fresh homegrown fruits and veggies hand-picked daily including pounds of watermelon!

Homemade jams and jellies are also available inside the market.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 8-5pm
Sunday: 10-4pm

Bedner’s Farm – Boynton Beach, Florida

Bedner’s Farm is located in Boynton Beach, Florida, and has been a part of the family business in the Palm Beach County area since 1960. The farm fresh market sells a variety of fruits and veggies including delicious sweet corn, squash, eggplant, apples, melons, and much more.

U-Pick fruit and veggie options are offered from September through April and include tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and a variety of peppers. From September through May the whole family can enjoy tractor rides around the farm and delicious Florida-grown watermelon from local watermelon growers!

Bedner’s Farms Market also has a location in Delray Beach and West Palm Beach as well.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sun: 9-6pm

Watermelon Festivals in Florida

Want to experience some real watermelon fun? Here are 3 Florida watermelon festivals the entire family will enjoy!

Chiefland Watermelon Festival

Hosted by the Chiefland’s Woman’s Club, the free festival has a ton of fun activities for everyone, for the kiddos and the adults! The festival is held on June 3rd in Chiefland, Florida. Festivities include the crowning of the watermelon queen, watermelon competitions for the biggest melon, and a seed-spitting competition.

There are also craft and food vendors, live music, and a downtown parade festival-goers can enjoy. The best part of the festival is you get all-you-can-eat watermelon for free!

Clay County Watermelon Festival

This watermelon festival is home to everything watermelon! The festival is free and takes place on June 22-23 in Green Cove Springs, Florida, and offers lots of watermelon fun on both days with juicy, delicious watermelon to keep you hydrated and refreshed all day long!

Not only are there plenty of kid-friendly activities, but there is also a watermelon eating contest, a seed-spitting contest, and fun watermelon-themed games to participate in. And keep your eyes peeled for the watermelon fudge and watermelon-wine slush vendors!

The non-profit organization, Cool Zoo Wildlife Conservation will also be on-site at the festival with some of their animals providing education about wildlife and conservation efforts.

Panhandle Watermelon Festival

The Panhandle Watermelon Festival began back in 1956 in honor of watermelon growers and is held on June 28- 29 in Chipley, Florida. The festival is free and offers lots of fun for the whole family.

Festivities begin with a Hot Trot 5K and kids’ fun run to kick it all off followed by a car show, and a downtown watermelon parade. Throughout the day festival goers can enjoy live music, craft and food vendors, and a watermelon auction.