How to tell if a watermelon is ripe?

Question

about 3 or 4 months ago we had some cantaloupe and watermelon to eat, we through the seeds in our backyard ( we have a big back yard) in this sectioned of section with nothing in it. Eventually one of the watermelon seeds starting growing and now it takes up the whole area. We'd love to pick the watermelon to eat it...... but we dont know how to tell if its ripe! The rhine changes color at about 5-7 inches so that doesn't help and that is the only thing i could possibly think of anyone have a clue?

Answer 1

1. Thump it. If the watermelon sounds hollow, it's ripe. This is difficult for less-gifted ears.

2. Look at the color on the top. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes.

3. Look at the color on the bottom. A green watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-colored bottom.

4. Press on it. If the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, it's ripe. (Rhodes doesn't like this method because it can ruin the quality of the fruit.)

5. Check the tendril. If it's half-dead, it could mean that the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. If the tendril is fully dead, it could mean that anthracnose or some other fungus killed the melon, or that it's ripe or overripe. If the tendril is green, you should wait to pick the melon.

6. Count the number of days from anthesis (flowering) or the number of days from planting. This works pretty well if you know the variety of watermelon and how many days it's supposed to take for that variety to ripen under normal temperature and fertilizer regimes.

7. Check the size. It's not necessarily true that when a watermelon is big enough, it's ready; but under good conditions, it should be normal size. If it's not, you're probably too anxious.

8. Crack a few. You've got a whole field of watermelons, and you can practice a little, right?

9. Is the vine dead or dying? Well, the watermelon is not going to get any riper, so you might as well pick it.

Answer 2

When you thump the watermelon it should make a thud sound. If it pings when you thump it it is green. The curl is at the stem where the watermelon is connected to the vine. When the curl dies or turns brown it means the melon is close to being ripe. I have had some varieties though that the curl dying didn't mean anything. Thumping is the best way I have found. Putting pressure on the melon and listening for a crush sound works but it does shorten the life of the melon for market but you are not concerned with that so try this. Place your hand on the center of the melon. Push downward and listen for a crush sound coming from the melon. If it makes this sound it is ready to eat.

Answer 3

tap on in if it sounds hollow its not ripe . hope this helped