When to Pick Watermelon: A Guide to Harvesting the Perfect Melon
Watermelons are the quintessential summer fruit, providing refreshing sweetness in every bite. I remember the first time our family grew watermelon. We grew sugar baby watermelons that year and they were the best watermelons I’d ever had. We had them growing right next to our patio so it was easy and fun to watch them grow. Picking a watermelon at the right time is crucial to enjoying its full flavor and juicy texture. Harvesting too early or too late can result in a melon that’s either too bland or overly mushy. If they’re picked too early they can actually be completely inedible. In this post, we’ll explore how to determine the perfect time to pick your watermelon to ensure it’s at its peak ripeness.
This post is all about when to pick watermelon.
Table of Contents
When to Pick Watermelon
Picking watermelon at the right time is super important because it’s the difference between an inedible one and a super, juicy and unforgettable flavor. Below I’ve listed signs to look out for to know when it’s time: watermelon growth stages and the average time it should be to harvest (depending on variety), visual signs that indicate it’s ready to pick, sound and test for firmness, checking the vine, and the size and weight. So let’s dive in!
Understanding Watermelon Growth Stages for Perfect Harvest Timing
To pick the best watermelon, it’s essential to understand its growth stages. Watermelons go through several phases: the flowering stage, developing fruit, and reaching maturity. Maturity is important for all plants because that’s the mark when they can start putting out fruit. Certain conditions have to be met for this to happen. For example, if the soil is deficient in a mineral that the plant needs, it may not develop flowers. Knowing these stages helps you anticipate when the fruit is ready to be picked. A mature watermelon will have completed its growth, with sugars fully developed for optimal sweetness.
During the growing stages, watermelon first develops glucose and fructose during the early stages of development. Later in its development, it’ll start to accumulate sucrose. There are several factors that can affect the sugar content of watermelon: environmental stressors, the type of cultivar (or watermelon) being grown, and water stress. Contrary to what you may think, water stress or drought can actually increase the sugar content in the watermelon while too much water seems to “dilute” or limit the amount of sugar produced.
Visual Signs of Ripeness: How to Know When a Watermelon is Ready to Pick
There are a couple of visual signs to look for to know when it’s the right time to pick watermelon: color change, its texture, and the surface of the fruit.
- Color Change: Key Indicators of Watermelon Ripeness As watermelons ripen, the rind undergoes noticeable color changes. The green stripes may become darker, and the spaces between them lighter. A crucial indicator is the creamy yellow spot on the underside, where the watermelon rested on the ground. This spot signifies that the melon has ripened under the sun and is called a field mark. The field mark is the area of the fruit that was resting on the ground while it was growing.
- Texture and Surface: What to Look for in a Ripe Watermelon The texture of a ripe watermelon is dull rather than shiny. A shiny surface often means the fruit is still growing. Check the surface for slight roughness and a uniform texture, indicating that the watermelon has reached full maturity.
Sound and Touch Test: Tapping and Firmness Techniques for Watermelon Ripeness
Now this may sound like a silly test, but it in fact works! There is a difference between the sound of an unripe watermelon and a ripe one. The sound test is a popular method to determine ripeness. Tap the watermelon with your knuckles and listen. A ripe watermelon produces a deep, hollow, ringing sound. An unripe one sounds more dull and muted.
The next test involves checking the firmness of the watermelon. Gently squeeze the watermelon to assess its firmness. A ripe watermelon should feel firm but yield slightly under pressure. Avoid watermelons that are too hard or too soft, as these are indicators of under- or over-ripeness.
Checking the Vine: A Simple Trick to Determine Watermelon Ripeness
The tendril closest to the watermelon, which is part of the vine, can provide a clear sign of ripeness. This tendril looks like a little pig’s tail. As the watermelon matures, the tendril turns brown and dries out. The tendril will start drying out and browning at its tip and working its way towards the watermelon. If the tendril is still green, it’s best to wait a little longer before harvesting.
Measuring the Size and Weight: Understanding Watermelon Size for Harvest
Knowing the typical size for your watermelon variety is important. While size alone isn’t the best indicator of ripeness, a mature watermelon should feel heavy for its size. This heaviness suggests that the fruit is full of water and ready to be enjoyed.
Monitoring the Time Since Planting: How Long Does it Take for Watermelon to Ripen?
Each watermelon variety has a specific number of days from planting to harvest. These are a general estimate and not an exact number of days. But most watermelons take between 70 to 90 days to mature. Understanding your specific variety’s timeline helps you anticipate the best harvest window.
The Smell of the Watermelon
When a watermelon is ripe, it’ll smell sweet and fruity. The smell, in addition to other indicators, signal that it’s ready to pick!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Picking Watermelon
Some common mistakes are usually picking the fruit too early and misinterpreting whether the fruit is ready or not. To avoid these mistakes:
- Avoid Picking Too Early: Patience Pays Off It’s easy to become impatient and pick a watermelon before it’s fully ripe. However, early picking results in a less sweet and flavorful fruit.
- Avoid Misinterpreting Signs of Ripeness: Learn the Correct Indicators Misreading the signs can lead to disappointment. Be sure to consider multiple indicators of ripeness to ensure the best pick.
Tips for Storing Watermelon After Harvest: How to Keep Your Watermelon Fresh
After picking your perfect watermelon, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness. Store uncut watermelons at room temperature, but once cut, refrigerate to preserve its juiciness. Cut watermelon should be kept in an airtight container and consumed within a few days for optimal taste.
When to Plant Watermelon
To give yourself the best chance at having a great harvest and picking the sweetest watermelon, it’s important to plant the fruit during the right time of year. Watermelons like the heat of the summer and don’t like the cold. The best time to plant watermelon is in late spring to early summer.
To get a head start on your crop, you can start the seeds indoors and then transplant them outdoors when temperatures are warm enough. I always like to check night time temperatures two weeks out from planting. We’ve had surprise snow in the middle of May where I’m located and sudden changes in nighttime temperatures down in the 40s (degrees Fahrenheit). Or if you don’t want to start your own seeds, grab some seedlings from you local nursery.
Soil temperatures should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit before you plant watermelon. They’ll also need at least 2 months of hot weather.
How to Care for Watermelons
Since watermelon are heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients in comparison to other plants, it’ll need some sort of fertilizer to keep up with this need.
The plants should be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart. They need a lot of space since they’re a sprawling vine. They seem to spread out like cucumbers or even more than cucumbers do. If you’re limited on space, consider installing a trellis for the vines to crawl up.
Mulch the soil to keep weeds from taking over. Certain weeds can steal nutrients from the soil that the watermelon needs. Mulching saves so much time and energy. Even though it can initially be a lot of work in the beginning at the start of the season, it’ll lessen the load of work in the long run later in the season.
Keep an eye out for any pests or disease. It’s best to catch these issues when they initially start as they can spin out of control quickly. Of course the best course of management of pests and diseases is to prevent them in the first place. But if you wind up having problems anyway, stay ahead of the issue. Make sure to check the undersides of the leaves because that’s where insects like to lay their eggs.
5 of the Best Varieties of Watermelon to Grow
1. Sugar Baby
- Type: Small, round (6–12 lbs)
- Days to Maturity: ~75 days
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for small gardens and quick harvests. Sweet red flesh with a thin rind.
- Best For: Short growing seasons or limited space.
2. Crimson Sweet
- Type: Classic striped watermelon (20–25 lbs)
- Days to Maturity: ~85 days
- Why It’s Great: Excellent disease resistance and consistent sweetness. Juicy, bright red flesh.
- Best For: Backyard gardeners wanting a traditional, large melon.
3. Charleston Gray
- Type: Oblong, pale green rind (25–35 lbs)
- Days to Maturity: ~85–90 days
- Why It’s Great: Classic heirloom with excellent storage ability and high yield. Deep red flesh and fewer seeds.
- Best For: Warmer climates and large gardens.
4. Black Diamond
- Type: Large, nearly black rind (30–50 lbs)
- Days to Maturity: ~90 days
- Why It’s Great: Huge fruits with super-sweet flavor and great old-fashioned taste. Thick rind for good shipping/storage.
- Best For: Experienced growers with room to spread.
5. Moon and Stars
- Type: Unique heirloom with yellow speckles (20–40 lbs)
- Days to Maturity: ~95 days
- Why It’s Great: Stunning appearance and rich, sweet flavor. Great for farmer’s markets or anyone who wants a show-stopper in the garden.
- Best For: Heirloom lovers and specialty gardeners.
Conclusion
Picking a perfectly ripe watermelon requires a combination of visual cues, sound tests, and timing. By paying attention to color changes, checking the tendril, and listening for the right sound, you can ensure a delicious and sweet watermelon every time. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and relish the refreshing taste of a well-harvested watermelon!
This post was all about when to pick watermelon.
