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When is it time to pick watermelon vine from the garden ? Because watermelon does not keep on to sweeten or mature after peck , harvesting at the right time is a must . Use these tips to know when it ’s time to plunk your fruit .
This listsfruits that mature after foot and those that do notto help guide your harvesting decisiveness .
Is This Watermelon Ready to Be Picked?
Flowering vine - like plant that bring on eatable fruit• one-year harvest ( 1,000 varieties)• systematically moist , well - draining soilwithfull sun(6 + time of day / day)• Needs rich growing blank and protection from wind• Fruits do not mature or dulcorate after picking• How to check iffruit is ready to pick• Native to topical part admit South Africa
Shop Online : Buywatermelon seedsat SeedsNow ( US merchant marine )
How can you order when the Citrullus vulgaris you ’re growing is mature and quick to be foot ?
Common advice let in knock on the rind and checking for color changes . But does this assistance ? These action can provide clue but not the whole picture .
The tips heel below — when considered together — will help get you in the right focus .
But , in the end , the only way to be certain a watermelon is ready to exhaust is to test it .
Keep in mind that once you do take out the fruit from the vine , there is no turning back . It ’s not going to carry on ripening or sweeten at this point .
Your good option is to show the crown supply and then , if you recall it ’s clock time , pick one fruit and savour it . Is it ripe and good ? Or needs more time ? Or perhaps it ’s overripe ?
It ’s a bit intimidating when you ’re unexampled to growing watermelon — or any intellectual nourishment crops , but with more experience , lie with when to reap will become second nature .
It ’s also helpful to keep notes of details like sowing or planting day of the month , expect days to due date , and on what day figure you harvest the fruit . This information will be a valuable resource next twelvemonth .
Contents
4 Signs Watermelon May Be Ready To Pick
1Days to Maturity
This is the most important top . It take time for any yield to mature on the vine and you’re able to not fast - track it .
Seed packet enjoin us how long each crop should take from either ejaculate to harvest or from transplant youthful plants to reap — with the recommended amount of light .
Professional growers know this to the day , as they know the source they are using and their grow consideration .
If you know the eccentric of watermelon you are grow , look up the estimate days to due date .
Depending on the potpourri , this may rank from60 to 110 day .
Many fruits like Citrullus vulgaris can only begin ripening when they have hand maturity date .
So , check your calendar and see if it ’s sentence .
The only way to know for certain that a watermelon vine is sweet is to savour it . If you like watermelons that are sweeter or more flavorful , get wind which potpourri have these traits . Crimson Sweet , Little Darling , and Bush Sugar Baby are all examples of high - sugar watermelon . The right variety picked when amply ripe — but not overripe — is your good bet .
Related : What is “ Clarence Day to Maturity ” on Seed Packets ?
2Sound
Knock , knock!This is a democratic tip but unmanageable for beginner .
beat the watermelon with your knuckle duster and listen to the sound it make .
good watermelons produce a hollow sound .
Under and over - right watermelon may produce a clump .
It ’s grueling to imagine get ripe at this unless you had a whole bunch to test and confirm .
We mistrust it will also vary with form and size .
But lots of people assert they have an spike for ripe watermelon sounds , so knock yourself out .
This tip is also used when bribe watermelon at the grocery store or granger ’s market . But again , even if it might point ripeness , it ’s not going to tell you whether the fruit is sweetened or pleasant-tasting .
Related : How to Build a Wooden Garden Obelisk ( measure - by - footfall )
3Field Spot
There are exception to this one — as there always are in horticulture — but the field spot , the part of the fruit that extend to the footing as its growing , can twist yellowish as the fruit becomes ripe .
If it ’s white , it ’s not ready .
But , this is not a universal rule for all watermelons — just one other potential hint to check .
Related:25 Fruits That Ripen After Picking ( & Those That Do n’t )
4Curly Tendril Color
If you fuck your Citrullus vulgaris has had enough fourth dimension to grow , this tip is another possible ripeness hint .
Check the color of the curly tendril nearest the top of the melon vine where the stalk joins the fruit .
If it ’s green , the watermelon is still ripening .
Once it turns brownish and dries out , you have a ripe melon , or mayhap over - ripe melon .
It ’s something to pay aid to in combination with the other confidential information .
And , if the growing season is ending , maybe you just pluck that Citrullus vulgaris , cut it exposed , and taste it .
Related : How to Store Fruits & Vegetable For Maximum Freshness
Other Tips
These other tips are ones some nurseryman swear by but do not seem to be reliable for everyone — or , their utility comes with experience .
Smell the melon vine | A advanced watermelon may have a sweet Citrullus vulgaris - ish scent . If it ’s too ripe , it may have a rancid odor .
resoluteness | An unripe watermelon vine fruit is go to be tough and operose . As the fruit matures and ripens , its weewee depicted object increases and the yield will both become heavy but also may have a bit of give to it . When over - ripe , at some point that rind will start to disintegrate and turn to mush .
Watermelon Fruit Storage Tips
Whole , fresh watermelon| Left uncut , a fresh , ripe watermelon should be ok at room temperature for approximately one week .
Cut watermelonstays fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days ( maximum ) .
rooted watermelon| you may “ dash freezing ” Citrullus vulgaris by placing cut clump on a tray in the Deepfreeze until frozen . Then store in airtight freezer bags in freezer up to 2 - 3 calendar month . Fruit will be slushy when melt : use for items like yield leather , popsicles , and smoothies .
Fridge or Counter ? The Best Place To Store Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Summary
The only full - proof way to know if a watermelon is advanced is to cut it open and check .
Other signs let in :
Now , let ’s eat . I hope it ’s delicious .
~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛
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