The first watermelons from Kherson are expected in just a month

Despite the war, constant shelling, and challenging weather conditions, farmers in the Kherson region continue to grow melons and watermelons. The planting season is currently underway in the region, and the first Kherson watermelons could appear in markets as early as next month.

This was reported byOleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration.

As of today, about 1,000 hectares of watermelons and over 400 hectares of melons have already been planted in the region. At the same time, due to the cool and rainy spring, the development of melon crops has been somewhat delayed. According to experts, the growing season is about two weeks behind schedule.

In addition to melons and watermelons, farmers are growing potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, as well as wheat, peas, flax, and sweet corn.

One of the farms in the Kherson region has significantly expanded the area dedicated to melon crops this year. Watermelons now cover 45 hectares, which is three times more than last year. The area planted with melons has increased tenfold—to 20 hectares. The area planted with potatoes has also tripled, now totaling 30 hectares.

Farmers have already harvested the first eight hectares of early potatoes. The yield is about 30 tons per hectare.

In addition, the international “Field of Friendship” initiative continues to be implemented in the Kherson region. As part of the project, local varieties of beans and pumpkins were planted on special plots, with seeds provided by the French association “Kaol Kozh.”

The project’s goal is to study the crops’ resilience to drought and water shortages, as well as to find practical solutions for developing sustainable agriculture in southern Ukraine.

Regional authorities expressed confidence that, despite all challenges, the Kherson region will once again provide Ukrainians with its vegetables and famous watermelons this year.

Recently, farmers in the Kherson region planned to expand the area under melon crops, while onion plantings will be reduced due to low prices in the previous season.

As a reminder, by 2026, in the de-occupied part of the right bank of the Kherson region, there are plans to increase the area of irrigated land to 5,000 hectares. Currently, irrigation has already been restored on 4,000 hectares, which accounts for nearly 10% of the pre-war irrigated area.

Андрій Колісніченко