Texans grow a whopping 40% of America’s watermelons, making National Watermelon Day a true Lone Star celebration! Whether you’re chilling out with a juicy wedge in the Big Bend or spicing up cubes with Tajín along the Gulf, August 3rd is the perfect excuse to enjoy Texas’ favorite summer treat.

After slicing up a cold, red-meat beauty for your picnic, don’t toss those leftovers! Chickens and ducks are big fans of watermelon pulp, gobbling it down for vitamins A and C without extra calories. Goats love a good snack too—just keep servings under 10% of their daily intake to avoid bloat. Got show calves? Freeze rind slices for an icy, hydrating reward after halter practice. Remember to compost any moldy bits to keep your animals safe and your garden happy.

Planning your own watermelon harvest for next year? Plant seedless varieties like ‘Summer Breeze’ in April. Give them plenty of sunlight (at least six hours a day), and once the vines start to run, sidedress with calcium nitrate to boost their growth.

Texas’ warm sun and fertile soil make it the perfect place to grow—and savor—these sweet summer gems. Grab a slice, and celebrate National Watermelon Day in true Texas style!