Quick Tips - Growing Watermelons

Planing on growing Watermelons this summer? Remember to put a barrier between the melons and the soil. This reduces the risk of rot and disease. 

Also, Watermelons don't continue to ripen after being picked so harvest timing is important. Here are some tricks to see if they are ready to be picked:

• Thump it. If the watermelon sounds hollow, it’s ripe.
• Look at the color on the top. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes.
• Press on it. If the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, it’s ripe.
• Check the tendril. If it’s green, wait. If it’s half-dead, the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. If the tendril is fully dead, it’s ripe or overripe.