When to pick watermelon?

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flyinglocksmith Montgomery, TX May 30, 2011

Did not keep tags that came w/plant, so not sure what variety. They seem to be mostly round & maybe a little oval. Some are getting fairly good size, but not sure how to tell when ready to eat.

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cando1 Ozone, AR(Zone 6a) May 31, 2011

We always looked at the stem of the watermelon. If it is brown and withered the melon is ripe.If it is green and healthy looking it is still green.
Vickie

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flyinglocksmith Montgomery, TX May 31, 2011

Wow- that's an easy way to tell! Thanks cando1. Looking forward to eating them - as I have not grown any before. They sure have taken off well, wish everything I tried to grow would do as good.

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SoFlaCommercial West Palm Beach, FL(Zone 10b) May 31, 2011

thank you for this post - was wondering same thing!

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cando1 Ozone, AR(Zone 6a) Jun 01, 2011

You're very welcome. Injoy those melons!
Vickie

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Susie2 Brazoria, TX(Zone 9b) Jun 02, 2011

Does the same apply to cantalope?

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Jun 02, 2011

Nope regular cantaloupes slip (turn loose from the vine) when ripe. exotics like charantais, some honeydews, most spanish melons, you have to judge by color change. As for the watermelon the actual stem stays green, the indicator is the tendral next to the stem. The old folks called it the the curl and Used "when the curl is dead as one indicator". It is not foolproof, some varieties like Sugar Baby, Black Diamond, Florida Giant seem to have the tendral dry prematurely.

Thumbnail by Farmerdill
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MelissahL Hempstead, TX(Zone 8a) Jun 06, 2011

I have some Lil Loupe Melons, when is the time right to harvest them?

Thanks, Melissa

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flyinglocksmith Montgomery, TX Jun 22, 2012

Yes - this spring I planted the sugar baby variety. Harvested first one soon as tendril started getting brown. Oops, that WAS a little too early. Waited on next one a week after. It was a little too ripe but tasted great! Any more secrets?

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