How To Pick A Ripe Watermelon

A Slice Of Watermelon
(Image credit: Boonchuay1970)

Everyone starts growing watermelons in their garden thinking that the fruit will grow, they will pick it in the summertime, slice it up, and eat it. Basically, it's that simple if you know what you're doing. There's a right time to pick a watermelon, when the watermelon is not too ripe or unripe.

When to Pick Watermelon

Are you wondering how long it takes to harvest a watermelon? This part is simple. The watermelon you planted will be ready about 80 or so days after you plant it from seed. This means around day 75 or so, depending on how the season was, you can start watching for ripe watermelon. How to pick a ripe watermelon will come to you, you just have to be patient. Growing watermelons is a wonderful thing to do, especially if you love fruit in the summertime. Knowing when to harvest watermelon is the key. There are many ways to know that it's the right time to pick a watermelon. The plant and the melon both give you keys to knowing when to harvest watermelon. As to how long it takes to harvest a watermelon, well, it's not as long as you think.

How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon

First, the curly green tendrils will start to yellow and turn brown. This is a sign that the plant is no longer feeding the watermelons and that the right time to pick a watermelon is at hand. Second, if you pick up a watermelon and thump it with the palm of your hand, sometimes when they are ripe you will find that they make a hollow sound. Keep in mind that not all ripe watermelon will make this sound, so if it doesn't make a hollow sound it doesn't mean the melon isn't ripe. However, if it does make the sound, it is most assuredly ready to harvest. Finally, the surface color of the watermelon will become dull. The underside of the watermelon that was on the ground will also turn light green or yellow if it is time to pick the watermelon. As you can see, there are plenty of keys to knowing when to pick watermelon, so you can't go wrong if you watch for the signs. Once you know when to harvest watermelon, you'll be well on your way to enjoying fresh watermelon on your summer picnic table.

Kathee Mierzejewski
Writer

Kathee Mierzejewski was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, writing many of the site's foundational articles.