{"id":101736,"date":"2022-08-26T07:00:01","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T11:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/?p=101736"},"modified":"2022-08-24T11:29:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T15:29:20","slug":"how-to-tell-watermelon-ripe-for-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/how-to-tell-watermelon-ripe-for-harvest\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Tell If A Watermelon Is Ripe For Harvest\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

I<\/span>t is important to harvest watermelons when they are ripe and not before! Because the ripeness of the watermelon is hidden under the outer skin as a bright, rich, watery flesh inside, the only sure way to know the quality of the flesh and its ripeness is to crack it open. But, of course, a cracked melon is unsellable.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The timing and efficiency of harvest are also important. You do not want to harvest unripe melons, of course. You also want to focus your harvest so all melons that need picking are picked at the same time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are, thankfully, many tricks and tips used to help growers understand when a watermelon is ripe and ready for picking. But which technique is most accurate? Here we will explore some of the methods discussed and focus on the best means to manage watermelon harvest.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advice Abounds<\/h2>\n

People will tell you that a melon is ripe when it sounds hollow when thumped with your knuckles. They will also say to look for the big yellow moon spot on the underside of the melon where it lies on the ground. Some will tell you to wait for the green outer rind to become deep in color and for the lines between the lighter and dark greens to be very distinct.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

I have seen lists of as many as 12 ways to tell when a melon is ripe! But t<\/span>he three best methods, which make the most sense, are actually fairly simple.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Watch the Calendar\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, choose a melon and make note of the days to maturity<\/a> (DTM) for the variety.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

For a melon, though, this DTM sometimes indicates days from transplanting in the field. <\/span>So make sure you understand the difference between transplanting and direct seeding.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Read more: Use your melon to grow tasty melons this year.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

2. Mind the DTM<\/span><\/h2>\n

Second, follow good cultural practices for watermelon production in your region. I grow melons how most do in the northeastern and northern USA and all of Canada, which includes:<\/span><\/p>\n