For local grower, watermelon crop ripens family tradition

HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — In the heat of the summer, it’s hard to beat a slice of fresh, cold watermelon.

If you’ve ever tried to grow one of your own, you know it’s not an easy task, but don’t tell that to a Henderson County farmer whose family business is watermelons.

“All we grow is watermelon and cantaloupes,” watermelon farm owner Chad Anderson said. “It’s something I love to do and I’m proud to. I was born into it.”

He is keeping his family’s melon business blooming.

“I didn’t go to college or anything. I knew when I was growing up, being around watermelons all my life, this is what I wanted to do,” Anderson said. “This is what I was going to do — get bigger and bigger as my years go on, and it’s my livelihood and I enjoy it.”

The farm started as a backyard garden of a few acres by his great-great granddad. It’s now 15 acres, but one thing hasn’t changed — the watermelons are hand picked every day.

“From back selling under a tree to what we have now, and be selling 20 to 30 watermelons a day to now selling several hundred a day, things have changed and I hope that they progress,” Anderson said.

The Andersons have been selling watermelons since the 1950s. They’re known for how big and sweet their melons are, plus they have up to 10 different varieties.

As for the secret to the extensive sizes and flavors, he said it all depends on the weather.

“If you get good rains, your watermelons will be bigger. Hot, dry weather makes watermelons sweeter. It’s just part of it.”

The summer months are his busiest. Sales usually start by July 4, and he tries to pick until the first frost.

“We get four or five months of what we do here, and the rest of my time I hunt and fish. I get to enjoy life. It’s hard work, but you know, work hard, play harder.”

The cost for an Anderson watermelon can range from $3 to $7.