The following is the 2010 spring fresh market vegetable acreage report from the Sacramento, Calif., Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Broccoli

California's area for spring harvest is forecast at 30,000 acres, down 6 percent from 2009. Broccoli quality is reported good.

Cantaloupe

Area intended for harvest is forecast at 26,400 acres, down 5 percent from 2009. In California, planting is underway in the southern San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Harvest is expected to begin in June.

The Georgia cantaloupe crop is in fair to good condition. In Texas, land preparation and some melon planting is underway.

Carrots

Area for harvest for carrots in California is forecast at 11,100 acres, down 9 percent from last year. Rainfall delayed spring carrot planting in the major production areas. In Texas, growing conditions have been favorable for the spring carrot crop. However, wet fields during the winter season slowed some harvest activities.

Cauliflower

California's area for spring harvest is forecast at 6,900 acres, 5 percent above 2009. Wet fields slowed plant development in the Salinas Valley.

Celery

California’s area for spring celery harvest is forecast at 6,000 acres, unchanged from last year. The spring celery crop is in good condition with no pest or disease problems reported.

Sweet corn

Intended area for harvest is forecast at 40,800 acres, up 4 percent from a year ago. California weather conditions were favorable for the sweet corn crop. Planting for the spring crop has begun in the Imperial Valley. Harvest is expected to begin around mid-April.

In Florida, favorable weather conditions during late February allowed sweet corn planting to progress on schedule.

Honeydew melons

Area for harvest is forecast at 3,150 acres, up 5 percent from 2009. Planting of the California spring melon crop is underway in the southern SJV. Harvest is expected to begin in June.

Spring melon planting is underway in Texas.

Head lettuce

California’s area for harvest for head lettuce is forecast at 32,000 acres, unchanged from 2009. Above average rainfall during the winter hindered crop development.

Tomatoes

Area for harvest is forecast at 24,800 acres, down 4 percent from 2009. California’s cool and rainy weather slowed plant growth. However, crop quality is reported to be good.

In Florida, field work and planting activities were delayed due to rainy conditions and a hard freeze in the state’s Panhandle and northern counties.

Watermelons

Area intended for harvest is forecast at 44,500 acres, up 14 percent from last year. California watermelon planting continues for the spring crop. Harvest is expected to begin in June.

In Florida, some planted watermelon acreage was lost due to freeze damage.