Live Self Sufficient

Watermelons are among the most difficult fruits to pick from a vine. You can stand there and stare at them all day long and you won’t know if they are ripe or not. Unlike a pumpkin that turns bright orange when it is ready to be harvested, watermelons look about the same during their growing phase – minus their change in size.

So how can you tell if your watermelon is ripe? Well, first you have to pick it up gently and examine it. Compare its size with the estimated size for the variety of watermelon seeds that you planted. If it is approximately the right size, use your fist to gently give the fruit a thump. A ripe watermelon will sound a bit hollow, while one that is not ripened will sort of ring when thumped.

Look at the underside of the watermelon that has been sitting in the soil. Does the skin have a slightly yellowish or creamy color to it? If it does your watermelon is probably ripe. If instead you see any shade of green or pale white, leave the fruit on the vine and check it again in a few days.

Examine the top of the watermelon. Immature watermelons will have a stark contrast between light and dark stripes. A ripe watermelon will no longer have such an obvious contrast. The skin will also loose its dull appearance.

Take a look at the watermelon’s stem and the vine its growing on. Do they look like they are turning brown or beginning to shrivel up? Do you see any cracks in the stem? These can all be signs that your watermelon is ripe and ready to be picked!

It is a good idea to check your watermelons regularly so that they do not end up over ripe!

Related posts:

1. Why isn’t my vine producing fruit?
2. Preparing to harvest your pumpkins and gourds
3. Turn your bottleneck gourds into birdhouses
4. Turn your bottleneck gourds into birdhouses
5. Extend the life of your bananas