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SweetDomesticity's Buzz Aug 14, 2012
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A question for the melon experts (Gene? John? Anyone else?): How do I know when a watermelon is ready to pick? Will they release from the vine like the cantaloupe do?
JMTKMS replied 10 months ago
This has always been hard, and we generally loose 1 or 2 because we just want them to ripen early... When they get to the size they are supposed to be, and the bottom gets a big yellow patch on it, then usually it will be ripe. They do not fall off the vine, at least none of the varieties that we have had so far.  I, Marcy, have read that the little tendril across from the melon should be completely dry when the melon is ready, but so far I have not had a chance to put this theory to the test.  
JMTKMS replied 10 months ago
@JMTKMS: me on the other hand  i look for the broken lines on the bottom of melon and or  the white or yellow spot it has been laying on. i come from a family of thumpers theres a sound to a crisp ripe melon  my uncles and the older folks can find the best melons dont know if its luck or their just old school  well they are they walk up thump it and tell you know that melons ripe  or thats over ripe so i say if its ripe eat it or guess will give that one to the animals too funny . .now i think of it. they can even witch for water and  their never wrong  it is weird to watch. i know its not much help  its been trial and error for me and i get bummed if i am wrong .we will let marcy try her theory i have never waited that long. let alone what a tendril is ssSShhhhHHHhhh. JOHN:>)
SweetDomesticity replied 10 months ago
@JMTKMS: Thanks for the input! I'm going to have to spend some time examining the watermelon a little more closely this week - based on days to maturity, I think my large watermelons will still need another few weeks, but I think the small ones might be ready to go soon! 

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