How do I know when the watermelon is ready?

[Carol Dee]

I got watermelon seeds from @vfem fall of 2013 for a giant orange watermelon she grew. Ours are not nearly as big and probably will not be. How do you know when they are ready to pick?

 

[so lucky]

Wait till you just can't stand it anymore.

 

[thistlebloom]

It's been so long since I got a watermelon to the ripe stage that I just can't remember.

Something about the tendrils closest to the melon drying up?
And the bottom turning from white to yellow?

Maybe I'll just shut up and let somebody who knows what they're talking about answer...

 

[Carol Dee]

Very helpful @so lucky and @thistlebloom

 

[thistlebloom]

Very helpful @so lucky and @thistlebloom

Yep, we aim to please, right So Lucky?

I was going to say just cut the thing open and take notes!

 

[Jeni Ann]

Crack it open on the truck tailgate in the wee hours of the morning after running down the road and snatching it out of the garden!
OH! Wait! That was a flashback to my younger days ... and they were not our watermelons ... sorry!
BTW Carol Dee NEVER did anything like that. Ever. (I told you all she was the nice (good) one)

 

[seedcorn]

I always pick them too green or over ripe. I'm consistent.

Wife's cousin's husband was produce manager in grocery, says you should smell melon on end.

 

[baymule]

Wife's cousin's husband was produce manager in grocery, says you should smell melon on end.

Gee, I don't know why, but when I read this, the picture of two dogs sniffing each other's ends flashed in my mind........

 

[thistlebloom]

Gee, I don't know why, but when I read this, the picture of two dogs sniffing each other's ends flashed in my mind........

Oh Bay! That was terrible!

 

[thistlebloom]

Now I'm afraid to say this.... isn't it just cantaloupes and honeydew you sniff?
I thought watermelon had to be thumped, and rolled over to check their belly color.

Wow. I'm getting all sorts of weird images in my mind now...


edited because they're is a difference between there, their, they're and thar.
I don't know what it is apparently, but I know their is won.