How do you tell when cantaloupe is ready to pick from the garden?

Question

How do you tell when cantaloupe is ready to pick from the garden?

Answer 1

Yep, the stem will "slip". A little pressure with the thumb on the stem will cause it to separate from the mellon. I like the response about the smell, that IS a pretty good indicator that one is ripe. There is a reason that they are also called "muskmelon". FYI, that's the way to pick them in the store, no squeezing or thumping, just smell them.

Answer 2

there are 2 things i do.  when i get near my garden, if i can smell cantaloupe, i know at least one is ready.  the other is very simple.  the stem will separate very easily from the cantaloupe.  thats really all there is to it.  when they are ready, pick them as soon as you can, because the sweet smell is going to attract ants, and you dont want that.