OT:Watermelon, how to tell ripeness

redtom · Sep 5, 2011

In 25 yrs of gardening I raised watermelon twice. A long timw ago and this year. How does one know when they're ripe? I usually pick too soon or wait to long and a bug bores into them. This year I picked up a cheap pack of seeds at the store and my boy and I threw them in the field. Got a couple biggies but no clue. For what its worth I think the variety is "congo".

Vito · Sep 5, 2011

We used to flick them and tell by the sound.To high a sound not ripe yet,too low over ripe.I am sure someone has a better method.

HTH

Vito

hlc · Sep 5, 2011

The curls on the vine nearest the melon is dead looking and the area on the bottom of the melon sitting on the ground turns more from the white color to a buff or brownish color.

DH in Carolina · Sep 5, 2011

Where they at? I'll let you know!!

dgasper · Sep 5, 2011

Use the SWAG System.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 5, 2011

Thump the toe of your leather work boot and thump the melon. When they sound similar it is ripe. That's what an old timer told me.

wolfman · Sep 5, 2011

With canteloupe, I gently lift it and turn it just a few degrees. If ready to be picked, that slight turn will have the stem detach. If stem doesn't fall off, let it on the vine.

wolfman · Sep 5, 2011

With canteloupe, I gently lift it and turn it just a few degrees. If ready to be picked, that slight turn will have the stem detach. If stem doesn't fall off, let it on the vine.

ShadetreeRet · Sep 5, 2011

We always used the method that Vito suggested. Some of the others sound like they would work also. Basically it's something that comes from experience. So plant two or three hills for the next few years and check it out.

Uncle · Sep 5, 2011

In the market, I put a dried broom straw perpendicular on the melon. The more ripe the melon the further the straw will turn toward the centerline.
Works well.
Brian

Eldon (WA) · Sep 5, 2011

Someone told me to look for brown beads of sugar at the stem....gonna try it this year.

bobs old iron · Sep 6, 2011

i have always thump the mellon in middle, towards end with my fingers, if it thumps crisp and hard,its alwalys been a good one for me... baby not included...lol

Anonymous-0 · Sep 6, 2011

Yep, check the tendril closest to the melon. That, and if you take the melon, and firmly hold it, blossom end up, and press gently on the blossom end, if it gives, a little, when you apply pressure with your thumbs, then it is ripe.

ncpapaul · Sep 6, 2011

Folks tell me look for a yellow belly. Paul

pat sublett · Sep 6, 2011

First & second curl needs to be dead.

Dick L · Sep 6, 2011

I always pluged them when growing them myself. Cut a tapered plug about the size of a quarter with my pocket knife. If it is not ready put the plug back in tight and give it more time.

ShepFL · Sep 6, 2011

Here in the South we look for a yella belly and brown piggy tail

Seriously - there is a tendril that grows closest to the melon. Not the main vine but a small shoot like growth (tendril) - once that begins to turn brown your melon(s) should be ready. HTH

OT:Watermelon, how to tell ripeness

redtom

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Vito

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hlc

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DH in Carolina

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dgasper

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Anonymous-0

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wolfman

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wolfman

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ShadetreeRet

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Uncle

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Eldon (WA)

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bobs old iron

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Anonymous-0

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ncpapaul

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pat sublett

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Dick L

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ShepFL

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