Louisiana watermelons are hitting their peak just in time for the July Fourth holiday. And nowhere are they celebrated more than in Washington Parish, where a long-standing tradition of growing sweet melons continues across generations of farmers.
picking louisiana watermelons at sunrise
The day starts early in the fields of Washington Parish, where watermelon harvesters walk through knee-high vines at dawn. Caleb Mathews points to small tendrils near where the stem meets the melons, “This brown spot, we call that a cue. Now if two of them are dead, you pick it”. Mathews has spent six summers working the watermelon fields. He also listens for a hollow sound when tapping the melon—another sign of ripeness.
Once harvested, the melons are sorted by size and tossed carefully into a farm wagon. Dempsey Parden likens the labor to a full-body workout: “It gets everything, your legs up to your shoulders.” A typical morning haul can reach 120 melons, with another round in the evening. And occasionally, there’s a refreshing break for ‘quality control’—a few sweet, pink cubes of watermelon shared from a freshly cut fruit.
a family tradition rooted in soil
Perry Talley has farmed in Washington Parish his whole life, continuing a family tradition that dates back generations. “I can remember when I was a child coming out with my grandfather,” Talley says. His son, Sam, also helps out in the fields but may not follow in his father’s footsteps. “There’s less and less growers as time goes ‘cause the younger generation is not very interested in this type of labor,” Talley admits.
Washington Parish boasts about a thousand acres of watermelon fields. The secret, Talley explains, is the land itself: “Well-drained, sandy soil has a lot to do with it,” and the natural acidity helps produce particularly sweet melons. He grows a variety called ‘Starbrite.’
from a louisiana farm to roadside stand
After picking, many melons head straight to local markets. In nearby Bogalusa, Mike Phillips sells watermelons under a tent on Superior Avenue. “Pretty much sell themselves,” he says with a grin.
washington parish watermelons featured on tv
celebrating the louisiana watermelon
The watermelon picking season runs from mid-June to early August. The crop is celebrated each year at the annual Washington Parish Watermelon Festival, taking place this year from July 11–13, 2025 in Franklinton, Louisiana. The festival is held Friday through Sunday at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds.
Franklinton, LA 70438
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