BioTropic: Organic watermelons from Italy

Water melons are expressedly warmth-loving plants, which is why in Italy they are planted only after the frost period, and they can be harvested from around May until September. The Sicilian melons break in the Italian melon season, from mid-June onward the water melons from northern Apulien and Basilicata follow.

The Italian producers from BioTropic grow several melon varieties, which differ in caliber size and shape. There are the mini watermelons from the “Modellino” and “Petito” varieties, which weigh between 1 to 3 kilograms. “Prestige” is medium sized, and weighs between 2 to 7 kilograms. There are heavier varieties such as the “Crimson” which can weigh up to 20 kilos. Italian consumers, in particular, love these heavy weights. They firmly believe “the bigger the better.”

BioTropic also offers a selection of organic watermelons. Their plantations all lie in “boot heel” of italy, in the Apulien region. All three practice exclusively organic agriculture.

Arcangelo Santoro with his mini water melons.

Arcangelo Santoro began with his organic production in 2005. His area is about 30 hectares large – here, organic vegetables such as cauliflower, fennel, black cabbage, melons and watermelons find a lot of space. Eight hectares are reserved just for watermelons. This season, he has specialized in the “Prestige” variety. He values them because they are low on seeds, compact, and they have a long shelf life. The harvest takes place from mid-June until September.

Raffaele Santoro with a mini water melon.

His cousin Vito Santoro can likewise show 10 years of experience in organic cultivation. Together with his son Raffaele, he grows table grapes, various vegetables and melons in organic quality on his 27 hectares large plantation. Three hectares are available for the species “Prestige”.

Michele Pignalosa presents a Crimson water melon.

Michele Pignalosa is specialized in the production of organic watermelons and organic fennel. To be able to provide a broad assortment, he also grows seedless table grapes and several organic vegetables on his 32 hectare large growing area. The watermelon “Prestige” and a smaller amount of “Crimson” are grown on 5 hectares.

Please visit www.biotropic.com for more information.