Shangyang Watermelon

Shangyang Watermelon

　　    Yangxi County has a long history of watermelon cultivation, with large-scale planting spanning over 20,000 mu for more than 20 years. The produce has long been renowned for being “attractive in appearance, bright red in flesh, sweet with few seeds, thin-skinned, juicy, crisp, and virtually pulp-free.” In recent years, combining adjustments to crop variety structure, Yangxi County has focused on developing watermelon production as a signature local industry. The county’s total watermelon planting area has now reached 40,000 mu, including 30,000 mu planted in spring and 10,000 mu in summer and autumn, yielding a total output of 61,000 tons. This has established two specialized watermelon-producing towns: Shangyang Town and Rudong Town. The main varieties promoted include Black Beauty, Green Beauty, Early Golden Bell, and seedless premium watermelons. Spring-planted watermelons typically start hitting the market in early April and are harvested by mid-May.