So I was watching this video and the second you cut the melon I could smell it! I looked up and my wife was cutting up a watermelon. What are the chances!!! Smellavison!!! True story.
Very nice video. I was told by someone that not only does the tendril at the melon needs to die off but also the one before and the one after one the main vine. When all 3 die off, melon is ripe. So far it has worked for me. Never could figure out the thump test.
I think I might have my first ripe watermelon! I live in Nova Scotia Canada and it’s not easy to grow them here. This will be probably my third year trying to grow them. Very excited
I picked water melons in Australia almost 20 years ago. The tendril test and the spot test are what we used to determine which melons are ripe to pick.
Thank you my brother was sooo annoying and everyday he kept saying he was going to pick it even though it’s my garden but then I showed him this and proved to him that it wasn’t even close
I learned the straw method when I was a kid. That's how my parents always picked watermelon in the store. You need a straight and firm straw, even a stem of tall grass. Put it on the melon perpendicular to the stripes, 45° is perfect, less isn't ripe more is too much so. Thank you for the tendril trick, I'll be using that for sure! Second time ever growing water melon. This is the best info I've found on YT for when to pick. Sub'd =)
Thank you for sharing- I'll have to try it again, the right way! I'm glad you found the info helpful and I appreciate the support. Take care & enjoy those watermelons!
Thanks for the info. I am growing two different varieties, the little personal and the giant seedless. I chose t personal today where the tendril was dried up. Holy smack! It is perfectly sweet.
Thank you! Great video! Basically, in the nutshell, yes, you are correct about the tendril dryness is the indication of ripeness, however not always. I grow several different kinds of watermelons and I don’t usually go just by the tendril rule. I picked several watermelons that way, when I started out, that were underripe. You have to look at the several signs to determine if it is ripe. Not all types of watermelons will follow dry tendril ripeness rule. For me, dry tendril is the starting point. Once it is dry, I will look for other signs, like yellow spot, much more pronounced roughness on the surface of the watermelon, drying out of the hairs on the stem of the watermelon, if you push with your finger on it it will give little more then unripe one. Thumping- forget about it! I can never get it. I think I am tone deaf:) it might work if you have other unripe ones to compare with. If really in doubt, just wait 4-7 days after tendril is dry. My moon and stars, almost never ripe when tendril is dry. I have to give them another week to 10 days to get to correct ripeness. Another method is…. Pray and receive revelation from God when to pick it…:)
Wow!! Interesting!! Im looking at my one & only (dwarf?) watermelon! The surface is very matte/dull..all but the last couple of millimeters of the tendril is brown, almost no “hairs” on the stem of the watermelon & definitely sounds hollow when I thump it! To harvest or not harvest!! That IS the question!!
To Laurie E; yes it’s always the dilemma. You can see all the signs and just make a decision. For me comparing to other watermelons of the same type helps but if you just have one of them at some point you have to just go for it and if it’s a miss you know to wait next time longer or if it’s overripe to pick sooner. To Jenna; other types of watermelon is Crimson something for me, I forgot the full name. And Charleston gray. Also, I think tendril trick works but not for all watermelons for me. I didn’t mean to say that it doesn’t. For example for my polish variety called Yanusik with yellow flesh it works perfectly. In fact if I wait a little longer they are overripe and kind of sour and sweet. The Royal Golden is easy as it just turns all orange or yellow when it is ripe. I suspect maybe it is my location where I grow that requires extra time for those several melons to ripe past when the tendril is dry. Not sure. I suspect that for everyone will be different depending on their growing conditions. But it’s just my speculation. I just picked 35.5lbs moon and stars the other day. It was perfect texture and sweetness. I waited full 12 days past dry tendril to pick it. Happy gardening!:)
Hi Jen, thanks for your clear and expertly detailed video! I have a question about an experience I had in Kansas around 1973 and would like your opinion. While I was looking at watermelon in a grocery store, a local farmer approached me and recommended that I choose a watermelon which had an interesting spiral hole in its side. I didn't like its appearance so I avoided it, but he insisted that THAT particular watermelon was a "bee kissed" watermelon because when it was still developing, it smelled so sweet that a bee attempted to gather pollen from it and when it didn't succeed, it stung the melon, thereby resulting in the very odd spiral hole as it grew. I took a chance and bought it. I haven't tasted any watermelon as sweet as that "bee kissed" ! It was literally out of this world with juicy sweetness! He was absolutely correct! Have you ever heard of such a thing?
Ive been watching the only watermelon that we have and i think today is gonna be harvest day. The tendril is brown and it has a good yellow belly. Will post the video of harvest to taste test!
Thank you! I planed my first garden this year. I planted watermelon and got one melon! I am stoked to find out how it turned out. Thank you for answering this for me! The straw bit was funny! Ty!
You are welcome! I hope your watermelon is fantastic! I've been informed that I was doing the straw test incorrectly and should have had a perfectly straight straw.... but I think I'll stick to tendril anyways 😆. Take care!
I have Jubilees, Crimson Sweets, and Black Diamonds. Could you post where you got the seeds or plants for the yellow seedless melons? I know nothing of growing seedless varieties. How did your Black Diamonds do?
I once had a neighbor that was a commercial farmer. He told me to watch for these signs. 1. The brown tendril 2. The yellow underside 3. Brown sap/sugar around the stem 4. Lots of bug tracks 4. The stem will easily release the melon
Great tips, Kim! I will say that the melon 'slipping' from the stem works only with certain kinds of melons- primarily cantaloupes, but not all varieties- so be a bit careful with that one! Thanks for sharing!
Look for bee stings they will look like little holes or spots. Once you get used to seeing them they become easy to spot. Most store bought melons won't have they because they pick early. A big advantage to having a garden.
Great video, gets right to the point and very informative! Going to try the tendril method this year, my knocking method does not always work.. Thanks and happy gardening friend!👩🌾🙏🇺🇸
When I am picking from the store I look for a fresh green stalk so I know its fresh and then I look for a dab of black caramel at the end of stalk cutting. The evaporated fructose rich juice is a shure winn.
i would pick up a load of watermelons from northeast arkansas or southeast missouri and when loading the truck, (in the field) the mega watermelon farmers would tell everyone, "only take the ones that the stem pops off the melon. it's the only true way to tell a watermelon is truly ripe". it never failed. i have picked them when the little curly thing was totally brown and would have an under ripe melon. if you use the tendril it may be good, but much better if left till the stem will pop off. most people do not know what a real vine ripe melon is until they try this method.
I had issues this year telling when my melons where ready i seen the tendril was brown so i picked it mune are the black diamond melons i learned quick that they yellow spot is not an indicator at all its inly like that because it doesnt get sun in that spot i have melons that where under the straw and it was all yellow except the small area on top that wasnt under the straw i moved the straw from it 3 days later and the whole thing is almost green now also the 1st one i seen with the tendril dried completely does not have the yellow spot because i rotated it slightly a week b4 it was ready that yellow spot turned back green with days but the tendril was dried up so i picked it and that worked 💯 thank u for sharing this information i had picked a few that wherent ready b4 i seen this video and was upset because ive tried to grow melons without knowing anything about them and never could get them to grow very large this year i went in blind again but ended up with melons 3 times the size ive ever seen for the black diamond watermelons im super excited to grow more melons every yr know
You bring up a good point- that yellow spot can vary depending a LOT on sun exposure! And I'm so glad to hear the melons this year are so large- that's awesome!
First time I am in different ways to teach when ripen , I tried the tennical brown system and had open several of my sugar baby watermelon and did go back to Grandpa Jude's system and now mine for I'm 69 , Check for the stem at the base of the fruit to brown and dryness. I have seen a man harvest your method but I believe it will vary amoung different types of watermelon so I am staying on the fence and saying different varieties will show different ripeness. But very good video and I believe it will apply for some melons. Thank you from Columbus Ohio Lady
I still can't really tell, I can see the Tendril, but there are multiple right next to it, so I can't really tell which one it goes to, I think I found 2 on the same stem
The tendril was totally brown. I picked the watermelon. It was no where close to ripe. Trying to figure out when to pick the other one. (There are only two.)
Maybe the straw test - since it's supposed to help determine if it's ready to harvest - only works when the melons are still hooked up? Idk but I'm definitely going to try it lol
Yeah the straw needs to be almost perfectly straight and stiff. I prefer them to be about 6inches long. Have used that method alot and seems to work pretty good, but the tendril works well also.
Yes Mam wait until it is brown then she will be ready. The straw trick has been around forever. Your straw was a little to long. Best to use about half the length of the one you used. Thanks for the info on how you tell when a melon is ready. Stay safe my friend! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Glad to hear from you- you've been in my thoughts this week and I hope you're doing well! So does the straw trick really work, if you use the proper sized straw?
@@GrowfullywithJenna From what I'm told it's just regular earthworms. I live in southern Virginia so this may vary depending on location and like I stated, this is not a proven technique as far as I know, it's only what I have been told in the past. It definitely seems to be accurate for me and the location of my gardening. Good luck!
I don't have a fool-proof method for storebought melons, but generally use a combination of the first 2 methods I mentioned in the video-- checking out the 'ground spot' on the fruit and making sure it's dull yellow and thumping on the melons to see if they make a deep, hollow sound.
Okay what if you hang them and the tendrils break. That’s my issue. I wait until they change color. They get dull and non shiny and the green will be lighter than before. And the lines if you have them need to be two or three fingers apart also if the vibrate of you knock on them .
I have harvested melons when the tendril is completely brown and dry and it be completely white inside with no color… I just keep up with days on the vine and go a little past that as watermelon can stay ripe on the vine for weeks, especially Carolina cross which continues to grow on the vine after it’s ripe for over 120 on the vine which is why competitive watermelon growers grow Carolina cross for their size, which I also do. My largest was 253 lbs, 11 lbs off my states record, and 97 lbs off the world record… anyhow, for a small garden just keep a mental note of days on the vine using photos of each melon that forms and the date stamp… works great for me. Days on the vine is dependent upon variety!
One day in the produce department of a grocery store, I noticed this elderly woman, dressed with a large sun hat, brightly colored, sundress and sunglasses with some kind of a chopstick or something, placing them on top of water melons I watched her for a while and finally got the courage to ask her. What are you doing? She said testing a watermelon of course dummy lol.😅
A couple of my sugar baby watermelons have been at the maximum size they're expected to grow for a week or so (8-10lbs). Waiting on those tendrils to turn brown. Can it take a while for that to happen after the watermelon has stopped growing?
Ok so I have a crimson sweet watermelon growing my watermelon is not very big and the tendril has already dried up my melon is about the size of a cantaloupe but I thought Crimson Sweets were supposed to get bigger than that if the tendrils dry should I pick it
Hi Megan, Crimson Sweet melons do typically get larger than this- 20 lbs is normal. Sometimes vines/tendrils dry up due to disease or drought versus the melons being ripe. How long ago did you plant this melon and are the rest of the vines still healthy & green?
@@meganmccalla3278 Crimson Sweet is an 88 day variety (give or take), so you'd be right at maturity time. Depending on the nutrient levels in your soil, the plants may have not had enough to 'feed' on, as watermelons are very heavy feeders, which might explain the small fruit. There are other factors which may lead to small fruit size, including cool temps, some pests & diseases, poor soil (in particular, very dense heavy soil) and incomplete pollination.
First time grower. I took your advise and went out to my patch and picked a Mellon that had a brown stem. I was following the time chart on the back of the seed package abd it said 70 days the mellon i harvested was at 37 days from the day i first found it growing at that time it was the size of a large marble. Is the package wrong.
Hi Nicole- I do not ever turn my watermelon & cantaloupe. I have heard from some folks that do, but the only reason is to keep them from rotting if the ground is really wet. I tend to always have grass, hay or straw mulch down, so I've not had issues with the melons rotting.
I pick watermelons in the store by pressing on the blossom end fairly hard with my thumb. There should be a little give in it. My Dad said never thump a free melon.
I grew many types of watermelon last year and hung them up as they grew they tend to ripen faster. Most of my tendrils broke off so I was in a dilemma about ripeness . I learned if you have stripes too wait until they are two fingers apart also the watermelon will get a dull look too the skin also the watermelon should pop off the vine easily look for sap around the stem it should have a dark ring around it. Also it gets heavy at the end of ripening. A watermelon takes 100 days too ripening make sure to mark your calendar on when you planted the plant. If it’s a seed counting from the day it pops up from the ground. I had two 44 pound crimson sweets last year that were out of this world with flavor. I had so many watermelon I couldn’t eat them all so have them away too the neighbors.
I have a question. We have about 12 watermelons which have no stripes not sure what kind they are. They were purchased at lowes when they were young. They grew and spread all over they producing many melons. Some of them are yellowing on top of the mellows, should I be concerned? They are all for the most part the size or bigger than a basketball.
I just planted watermelon for the first time this season. I have one nice melon growing. I'm thrilled. But, the smaller ones are turning black before they really get started. I have no idea why. Is it end rot? Or...?
Hi Shonda- there could be several different things at play here. You might find this article helpful: homeguides.sfgate.com/watermelons-turn-black-fall-off-15-inches-104207.html
I work produce in a grocery store. So when you aren’t picking your water melons off the vine but instead from the store the best indicator is the sound of the slap. It doesn’t tell you how sweet they are but it will tell you how firm inside the water melon is. Mushy or spongy watermelons are always flat and sound dead inside. Young watermelons will have that higher pitch sound with little to no reverberation. Mid range is best and it should sound like a drum. When you hit them feel the vibrations and listen for the reverberation. Also you want a heavy water melon. If they are too light the water content is low. Also push on the watermelons skin. The more more you can push it in the thinner the rind and the higher the chance you will get a bad one. Sometimes a little give isn’t bad but definitely do not pick one where it gives a lot.
What would you recommend if I have a large watermelon that the tendrils are brown, but the resting spot is white. Pick or leave alone? Thanks for the advice.
Does the rest of the watermelon foliage/plant look healthy? Sometimes tendrils/foliage will die back due to disease before the melons are fully ripe, which can be a bit deceptive. And the spot doesn't always change color- sometimes they stay relatively light in color. Another good indicator, if you recall when you planted it, is to see if you're close to the number of days to maturity listed on the seed packet.
@@GrowfullywithJenna the plant has become stressed due to the severe drought here in NC zone 8a. It is a little past the maturity date. It is also a Black Diamond Watermelon which is not usually grown in NC. I am from TX and wanted a hometown Watermelon here. Thank you for your quick response. With that being said, would you just go ahead and roll the dice and pick it?
Even though you may of used too long and crooked straw, it sure looked like it went a full 45 on the ripe one and only 15 degrees or so on the unripe 🤷♂️
I’m growing one vertically in a net so it won’t have any field spot but my plant has a second one and it has a field spot The only issue is there TINNY only about the size of a large orange/softball but there starting to show signs of being ripe I’ll probably pull them in another 7-10 days the tendrils are almost fully brown and dry 😁 They were an experiment viable seeds from “seedless” mini watermelons for the plant and female flowers then hand pollinated with male followers from a crimson sweet (which failed from spider mites 😒) I’m surprised ant even grew I can’t wait to see how they are inside
Lol probably not , bs in my opinion but alot of truth as well if you stick a multi meter with setting on millivolts of corse it has a charge everything seems like it has some millivolts especially your city water lines i dont know why but you can run a led light off it. But who knows im shure their is truth to it but not that easy you would have to do your own test
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So I was watching this video and the second you cut the melon I could smell it! I looked up and my wife was cutting up a watermelon. What are the chances!!! Smellavison!!! True story.
That is awesome!
😆 😋
😂😂😂niice.
Lol
🥰😂🤣😂🥰
After trying four times with my watermelons and then finding your video, i finally got a ripe watermelon thanks to your expert knowledge. Thank you!!
Very nice video. I was told by someone that not only does the tendril at the melon needs to die off but also the one before and the one after one the main vine. When all 3 die off, melon is ripe. So far it has worked for me. Never could figure out the thump test.
I can see where this would work too!
I think I might have my first ripe watermelon! I live in Nova Scotia Canada and it’s not easy to grow them here. This will be probably my third year trying to grow them. Very excited
I tried and it worked 😊I’m so grateful ☺️ for this video it was literally my 1st time planting and harvesting my watermelon plant
I picked water melons in Australia almost 20 years ago. The tendril test and the spot test are what we used to determine which melons are ripe to pick.
Thank you my brother was sooo annoying and everyday he kept saying he was going to pick it even though it’s my garden but then I showed him this and proved to him that it wasn’t even close
I'm glad I could help!
I learned the straw method when I was a kid. That's how my parents always picked watermelon in the store. You need a straight and firm straw, even a stem of tall grass. Put it on the melon perpendicular to the stripes, 45° is perfect, less isn't ripe more is too much so.
Thank you for the tendril trick, I'll be using that for sure! Second time ever growing water melon. This is the best info I've found on YT for when to pick.
Sub'd =)
Thank you for sharing- I'll have to try it again, the right way! I'm glad you found the info helpful and I appreciate the support. Take care & enjoy those watermelons!
Woke up yesterday to find my first watermelon in the patch. SO exciting. Now I know when to pick it! Thank you Jenna. God Bless you.
That IS exciting!
😅😅😅😊
Thanks for the info. I am growing two different varieties, the little personal and the giant seedless. I chose t personal today where the tendril was dried up. Holy smack! It is perfectly sweet.
Thank you! Great video!
Basically, in the nutshell, yes, you are correct about the tendril dryness is the indication of ripeness, however not always.
I grow several different kinds of watermelons and I don’t usually go just by the tendril rule. I picked several watermelons that way, when I started out, that were underripe. You have to look at the several signs to determine if it is ripe. Not all types of watermelons will follow dry tendril ripeness rule.
For me, dry tendril is the starting point. Once it is dry, I will look for other signs, like yellow spot, much more pronounced roughness on the surface of the watermelon, drying out of the hairs on the stem of the watermelon, if you push with your finger on it it will give little more then unripe one. Thumping- forget about it! I can never get it. I think I am tone deaf:) it might work if you have other unripe ones to compare with.
If really in doubt, just wait 4-7 days after tendril is dry.
My moon and stars, almost never ripe when tendril is dry. I have to give them another week to 10 days to get to correct ripeness.
Another method is…. Pray and receive revelation from God when to pick it…:)
Wow!! Interesting!! Im looking at my one & only (dwarf?) watermelon! The surface is very matte/dull..all but the last couple of millimeters of the tendril is brown, almost no “hairs” on the stem of the watermelon & definitely sounds hollow when I thump it! To harvest or not harvest!! That IS the question!!
Oh….there is a slight yellow spot but I’m growing vertically so that spot hasn’t been sitting on the ground…but there IS a yellow spot…
Thank you for the detail! I'm curious which other specific varieties the tendril trick has not applies to, in addition to the Moon & Stars?
@@GrowfullywithJenna Black Diamond.
To Laurie E; yes it’s always the dilemma. You can see all the signs and just make a decision. For me comparing to other watermelons of the same type helps but if you just have one of them at some point you have to just go for it and if it’s a miss you know to wait next time longer or if it’s overripe to pick sooner.
To Jenna; other types of watermelon is Crimson something for me, I forgot the full name. And Charleston gray. Also, I think tendril trick works but not for all watermelons for me. I didn’t mean to say that it doesn’t. For example for my polish variety called Yanusik with yellow flesh it works perfectly. In fact if I wait a little longer they are overripe and kind of sour and sweet. The Royal Golden is easy as it just turns all orange or yellow when it is ripe.
I suspect maybe it is my location where I grow that requires extra time for those several melons to ripe past when the tendril is dry. Not sure. I suspect that for everyone will be different depending on their growing conditions. But it’s just my speculation.
I just picked 35.5lbs moon and stars the other day. It was perfect texture and sweetness. I waited full 12 days past dry tendril to pick it.
Happy gardening!:)
Precisely what I needed in less than 10 min
Glad it was helpful, Sara!
Hi Jen, thanks for your clear and expertly detailed video! I have a question about an experience I had in Kansas around 1973 and would like your opinion. While I was looking at watermelon in a grocery store, a local farmer approached me and recommended that I choose a watermelon which had an interesting spiral hole in its side. I didn't like its appearance so I avoided it, but he insisted that THAT particular watermelon was a "bee kissed" watermelon because when it was still developing, it smelled so sweet that a bee attempted to gather pollen from it and when it didn't succeed, it stung the melon, thereby resulting in the very odd spiral hole as it grew. I took a chance and bought it. I haven't tasted any watermelon as sweet as that "bee kissed" ! It was literally out of this world with juicy sweetness! He was absolutely correct! Have you ever heard of such a thing?
Really interesting! I've never heard of this phenomenon... I'd love if other commenters could chime in!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Yes, the "scars" you see on the rind are called "sugar spots" or pollination points. The more, the better.
Ive been watching the only watermelon that we have and i think today is gonna be harvest day. The tendril is brown and it has a good yellow belly. Will post the video of harvest to taste test!
Very helpful! I had a yellow spot and hollow sound on melons I knew were under-ripe, so I'm glad to see there's a better way!
Glad it helped!
lol love your demonstration and i’ll look for the dried tendril thanks
You're welcome! Enjoy those watermelons!
I have planted my watermelon 🍉 seeds last week. They sprouted, so now it’s a eating game. I’ll keep you posted, Jenna.
Best of luck! Definitely let me know how they turn out!
I assume you meant "waiting" game, but i like "eating" game better in reference to gardening. Sounds clever.
Thank you! I planed my first garden this year. I planted watermelon and got one melon! I am stoked to find out how it turned out. Thank you for answering this for me! The straw bit was funny! Ty!
You are welcome! I hope your watermelon is fantastic! I've been informed that I was doing the straw test incorrectly and should have had a perfectly straight straw.... but I think I'll stick to tendril anyways 😆. Take care!
@@GrowfullywithJenna haha. Me too. Thanks again.
Thanks for this. Very helpful. Growing my first watermelons ever and I hope they turn out as beautiful as yours.
You are welcome, Julie! I hope your watermelons do wonderfully this year!
Thank you just started gardening this some great info. I have orange/yellow seedless kind plus black diamond watermelon.
You are welcome, John. Enjoy those watermelon!
I have Jubilees, Crimson Sweets, and Black Diamonds. Could you post where you got the seeds or plants for the yellow seedless melons? I know nothing of growing seedless varieties. How did your Black Diamonds do?
I once had a neighbor that was a commercial farmer. He told me to watch for these signs. 1. The brown tendril 2. The yellow underside 3. Brown sap/sugar around the stem 4. Lots of bug tracks 4. The stem will easily release the melon
Great tips, Kim! I will say that the melon 'slipping' from the stem works only with certain kinds of melons- primarily cantaloupes, but not all varieties- so be a bit careful with that one! Thanks for sharing!
@@GrowfullywithJenna🎉
I like to call it, the fuse is lit! When it burns to the stem, pluck that baby and eat! Keep rocking!!!!
Haha- I like that! 😄
Great info - looked like a young person was sure enjoying their treat! Great job!!
David Tester thanks! He definitely enjoyed it, though he likes the seedless watermelons better 😆
❤😅You are so kind to share this info with all of us! Thanks a ton. It looks like pumpkins have the same type of indicator tendrils, too!😊 🎃
I'm happy to share! I use the 'thumbnail trick' for pumpkins and winter squash: ruclips.net/video/Qs7H56zH-Xs/видео.html
Look for bee stings they will look like little holes or spots. Once you get used to seeing them they become easy to spot. Most store bought melons won't have they because they pick early. A big advantage to having a garden.
i love your videos. I have several watermelons, gonna try this method thanks!
Thanks! Best wishes for a tasty watermelon harvest this year!
Great video, gets right to the point and very informative! Going to try the tendril method this year, my knocking method does not always work.. Thanks and happy gardening friend!👩🌾🙏🇺🇸
Glad it was helpful! Happy gardening to you as well!
When I am picking from the store I look for a fresh green stalk so I know its fresh and then I look for a dab of black caramel at the end of stalk cutting. The evaporated fructose rich juice is a shure winn.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!!! I moved this year, and have never grown watermelon before. (I checked. Not ready yet.)🙏
You're welcome!
I just watched this one and many more before picking mine. I haven’t opened it but I’ll update y’all when I do hahaha
Love your demonstration miss
Thanks
I think the straw test works best if you turn off the ceiling fan in the kitchen. :)
Im staying with the tendrol, ive heard the vine end will fall off but the tendrol is best, ill be checking
Thanks a million, mine are not ready yet 😂😂
Thank you for this video.. am going to pick my watermelons today and abit anxious on how to know the ripe ones.. first timer., 🇰🇪
You're welcome! Enjoy those watermelons!
i would pick up a load of watermelons from northeast arkansas or southeast missouri and when loading the truck, (in the field) the mega watermelon farmers would tell everyone, "only take the ones that the stem pops off the melon. it's the only true way to tell a watermelon is truly ripe". it never failed. i have picked them when the little curly thing was totally brown and would have an under ripe melon. if you use the tendril it may be good, but much better if left till the stem will pop off. most people do not know what a real vine ripe melon is until they try this method.
Thanks for the tip!
@@GrowfullywithJenna welcome
I could understand! Great Job.......Mr. John "One"
Thanks!
I had issues this year telling when my melons where ready i seen the tendril was brown so i picked it mune are the black diamond melons i learned quick that they yellow spot is not an indicator at all its inly like that because it doesnt get sun in that spot i have melons that where under the straw and it was all yellow except the small area on top that wasnt under the straw i moved the straw from it 3 days later and the whole thing is almost green now also the 1st one i seen with the tendril dried completely does not have the yellow spot because i rotated it slightly a week b4 it was ready that yellow spot turned back green with days but the tendril was dried up so i picked it and that worked 💯 thank u for sharing this information i had picked a few that wherent ready b4 i seen this video and was upset because ive tried to grow melons without knowing anything about them and never could get them to grow very large this year i went in blind again but ended up with melons 3 times the size ive ever seen for the black diamond watermelons im super excited to grow more melons every yr know
You bring up a good point- that yellow spot can vary depending a LOT on sun exposure! And I'm so glad to hear the melons this year are so large- that's awesome!
Thank you so much for sharing, let me check my own.
The 5 thumbs down must've been the people who tried the straw method lol. Informative vid thanks!
😂 You might be right!
On the broom straw truck I was always told to use a drinking straw
First time I am in different ways to teach when ripen , I tried the tennical brown system and had open several of my sugar baby watermelon and did go back to Grandpa Jude's system and now mine for I'm 69 , Check for the stem at the base of the fruit to brown and dryness.
I have seen a man harvest your method but I believe it will vary amoung different types of watermelon so I am staying on the fence and saying different varieties will show different ripeness.
But very good video and I believe it will apply for some melons.
Thank you from Columbus Ohio Lady
Very good to know, John. Thanks for sharing the method that words for you!
I pulled a big Jubilee a week or so ago because the tendril had browned out. It needed more time on the vine. Live and learn.
I just started my first garden.And my watermelon are growing. I can't wait to pick them...❤️❤️🍉🍉
Exciting!
Black diamond watermelons seem to take awhile after the tendril turns brown. I keep watching the field spot color change.
Ya getting better with the knife there Jenna. ;) Explanation looks spot on to me. Did you have a great season? Regular season? Something else?
Haha- I'm working on it! I'd say so far this has been a pretty good season. It's gone a lot better than the prior 2, that's for sure!
Thank you, my first year trying a watermelon. Three have set on but I know not to count my chickens til they hatch. If i get one it will be amazing.
That's wonderful- glad you are trying watermelon this year. Best wishes for a delicious harvest!
@@manners7483 thank you for your input, ahead a critter issue this year and it was too late to replant - hope to try again next year
You’re telling very good 👍
Yes 👍
Thank you!
I still can't really tell, I can see the Tendril, but there are multiple right next to it, so I can't really tell which one it goes to, I think I found 2 on the same stem
I love your shirt lol
The tendril was totally brown. I picked the watermelon. It was no where close to ripe. Trying to figure out when to pick the other one. (There are only two.)
Same here :(
Maybe the straw test - since it's supposed to help determine if it's ready to harvest - only works when the melons are still hooked up? Idk but I'm definitely going to try it lol
Good question!
Yeah the straw needs to be almost perfectly straight and stiff. I prefer them to be about 6inches long. Have used that method alot and seems to work pretty good, but the tendril works well also.
Good to know- thank you! Do you have any idea how or why the straw method might work?
This video is really helpful. 😊
Glad it was helpful, Hilda! Take care!
Yes Mam wait until it is brown then she will be ready. The straw trick has been around forever. Your straw was a little to long. Best to use about half the length of the one you used. Thanks for the info on how you tell when a melon is ready. Stay safe my friend! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Glad to hear from you- you've been in my thoughts this week and I hope you're doing well! So does the straw trick really work, if you use the proper sized straw?
I was taught to turn the melon over and if you see markings where worms have eaten away at part of the rine, it's perfectly ripe
What type of worms are eating the rind? I've not had that happen before.
@@GrowfullywithJenna From what I'm told it's just regular earthworms. I live in southern Virginia so this may vary depending on location and like I stated, this is not a proven technique as far as I know, it's only what I have been told in the past. It definitely seems to be accurate for me and the location of my gardening. Good luck!
@@davidreeves7635 Thanks!
@@GrowfullywithJenna no problem. I wish you the best at your gardening. You are a brilliant person judging on what I read on here!
Thank you for the info 🥰💜
You are most welcome, Elsa. Take care!
thanks. I just started gardening. and it's so difficult to know when to pick.
You're welcome! Glad to hear you've started gardening- that's awesome!
pumpkins are fun and I never worry about eating them !
very helpful, thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Also, I got a kick out of your username 😆
All nice but I want to know how to check in the market and not the field where the stems and leaves are still on them. Any tips there?
I don't have a fool-proof method for storebought melons, but generally use a combination of the first 2 methods I mentioned in the video-- checking out the 'ground spot' on the fruit and making sure it's dull yellow and thumping on the melons to see if they make a deep, hollow sound.
Okay what if you hang them and the tendrils break. That’s my issue. I wait until they change color. They get dull and non shiny and the green will be lighter than before. And the lines if you have them need to be two or three fingers apart also if the vibrate of you knock on them .
I have harvested melons when the tendril is completely brown and dry and it be completely white inside with no color… I just keep up with days on the vine and go a little past that as watermelon can stay ripe on the vine for weeks, especially Carolina cross which continues to grow on the vine after it’s ripe for over 120 on the vine which is why competitive watermelon growers grow Carolina cross for their size, which I also do. My largest was 253 lbs, 11 lbs off my states record, and 97 lbs off the world record… anyhow, for a small garden just keep a mental note of days on the vine using photos of each melon that forms and the date stamp… works great for me. Days on the vine is dependent upon variety!
What do i do if there is no tendril or leaf opposite of the stem? We seem to have “that” variety 😂
In this case, I'd go by the look of the ground spot.
Thank you
I heard wait till the stem is dead right at the watermelon?
That is certainly one sign you can look for, but is not always 100% accurate.
One day in the produce department of a grocery store, I noticed this elderly woman, dressed with a large sun hat, brightly colored, sundress and sunglasses with some kind of a chopstick or something, placing them on top of water melons I watched her for a while and finally got the courage to ask her. What are you doing? She said testing a watermelon of course dummy lol.😅
Haha- love it!
A couple of my sugar baby watermelons have been at the maximum size they're expected to grow for a week or so (8-10lbs). Waiting on those tendrils to turn brown. Can it take a while for that to happen after the watermelon has stopped growing?
Yes it can!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Thanks, I've been getting paranoid that they'll overripen. Rookie grower here :)
Ok so I have a crimson sweet watermelon growing my watermelon is not very big and the tendril has already dried up my melon is about the size of a cantaloupe but I thought Crimson Sweets were supposed to get bigger than that if the tendrils dry should I pick it
Hi Megan, Crimson Sweet melons do typically get larger than this- 20 lbs is normal. Sometimes vines/tendrils dry up due to disease or drought versus the melons being ripe. How long ago did you plant this melon and are the rest of the vines still healthy & green?
I planted by seed last week of April. I live in Missouri. Ive been watering everyday. Leaves seem good. Ive only given them food twice this summer.
@@meganmccalla3278 Crimson Sweet is an 88 day variety (give or take), so you'd be right at maturity time. Depending on the nutrient levels in your soil, the plants may have not had enough to 'feed' on, as watermelons are very heavy feeders, which might explain the small fruit. There are other factors which may lead to small fruit size, including cool temps, some pests & diseases, poor soil (in particular, very dense heavy soil) and incomplete pollination.
First time grower. I took your advise and went out to my patch and picked a Mellon that had a brown stem. I was following the time chart on the back of the seed package abd it said 70 days the mellon i harvested was at 37 days from the day i first found it growing at that time it was the size of a large marble. Is the package wrong.
I'm sorry- but it's likely the tendril is turning brown due to disease, insect damage or other issues. It would not have been ripe at 37 days.
First year of growing Ice Box watermelons so thanks for the info on the tendril. The straw method nahhhh yeah baloney lol
You are welcome- enjoy those watermelons, Michael!
Much love! Thanks
💚 You are most welcome, Gabriel!
So should not be turning my watermelons and canalopes. Or does that not make a difference
Hi Nicole- I do not ever turn my watermelon & cantaloupe. I have heard from some folks that do, but the only reason is to keep them from rotting if the ground is really wet. I tend to always have grass, hay or straw mulch down, so I've not had issues with the melons rotting.
By the way… that brown spot on the bottom. You need to hang your melons or place plastic plates under. When it sits in the soil it starts to compost
Thanks for the tip- I've actually never had any issue with my melons rotting, but for anyone who does, this is a good idea.
I pick watermelons in the store by pressing on the blossom end fairly hard with my thumb. There should be a little give in it. My Dad said never thump a free melon.
Thanks for the tip-- gotta love dad advice!
I grew many types of watermelon last year and hung them up as they grew they tend to ripen faster. Most of my tendrils broke off so I was in a dilemma about ripeness . I learned if you have stripes too wait until they are two fingers apart also the watermelon will get a dull look too the skin also the watermelon should pop off the vine easily look for sap around the stem it should have a dark ring around it. Also it gets heavy at the end of ripening. A watermelon takes 100 days too ripening make sure to mark your calendar on when you planted the plant. If it’s a seed counting from the day it pops up from the ground. I had two 44 pound crimson sweets last year that were out of this world with flavor. I had so many watermelon I couldn’t eat them all so have them away too the neighbors.
to
On the moon n stars dark green. Bottom yellow. T stem tendral dead. In mid. Michigan. Not yet ripe!😢.
I have a question. We have about 12 watermelons which have no stripes not sure what kind they are. They were purchased at lowes when they were young. They grew and spread all over they producing many melons. Some of them are yellowing on top of the mellows, should I be concerned? They are all for the most part the size or bigger than a basketball.
Are the plants still healthy, or are they showing signs of yellowing as well?
That straw test did work
It won't let me post the picture but it did show a forty five and a ninty
The tendril is how I do it in the garden. The thump in the store needs to have like a vibration …not a thud.
I just planted watermelon for the first time this season. I have one nice melon growing. I'm thrilled. But, the smaller ones are turning black before they really get started. I have no idea why. Is it end rot? Or...?
Hi Shonda- there could be several different things at play here. You might find this article helpful: homeguides.sfgate.com/watermelons-turn-black-fall-off-15-inches-104207.html
@@GrowfullywithJenna The article was uber informative. Thank you so much. This was my first experiment, now I know what to do next season.
@@sweetpeasbackyardgarden1236 I'm glad it was helpful!
My watermelon is getting a little soft. Should I pull it?
I work produce in a grocery store. So when you aren’t picking your water melons off the vine but instead from the store the best indicator is the sound of the slap. It doesn’t tell you how sweet they are but it will tell you how firm inside the water melon is. Mushy or spongy watermelons are always flat and sound dead inside. Young watermelons will have that higher pitch sound with little to no reverberation. Mid range is best and it should sound like a drum. When you hit them feel the vibrations and listen for the reverberation. Also you want a heavy water melon. If they are too light the water content is low.
Also push on the watermelons skin. The more more you can push it in the thinner the rind and the higher the chance you will get a bad one. Sometimes a little give isn’t bad but definitely do not pick one where it gives a lot.
Great info, and I love that you’re coming at it from a different perspective. Thanks for sharing and take care!
. Last year I had twi round watermelons, one was incredible, the 2nd was not even close. Couldnt eat it.
I'm glad that you got one that was incredible!
What would you recommend if I have a large watermelon that the tendrils are brown, but the resting spot is white. Pick or leave alone? Thanks for the advice.
Does the rest of the watermelon foliage/plant look healthy? Sometimes tendrils/foliage will die back due to disease before the melons are fully ripe, which can be a bit deceptive. And the spot doesn't always change color- sometimes they stay relatively light in color. Another good indicator, if you recall when you planted it, is to see if you're close to the number of days to maturity listed on the seed packet.
@@GrowfullywithJenna the plant has become stressed due to the severe drought here in NC zone 8a. It is a little past the maturity date. It is also a Black Diamond Watermelon which is not usually grown in NC. I am from TX and wanted a hometown Watermelon here. Thank you for your quick response. With that being said, would you just go ahead and roll the dice and pick it?
@@mitchellhomestead8905 It's hard without being able to actually see the melon-- but if it were me, I'd most likely pick it.
@@GrowfullywithJenna OK, thanks for your advice. I love your channel, you give a lot of information in a short time. Keep up the good work!!!!
The most reliable method for knowing if a watermelon is ripe per not (works 100% of the time) that I've ever heard was: "Cut it open and take a bite."
😂 😂😂
the straw test should be done while mellon is still attached to the vine.
The tendril test didn't work for us... But then, our variety of watermelon is different. I like the thunk test.
Sorry to hear that!
I picked one last week and the tendril thing was totally brown but inside was white and inedible
If your plants have been affected by disease, pests or drought, the plant and tendrils can dry out/die back before the melons are ripe.
Don't feel bad! Same happened to me lol
I picked one with the trendil brown and it was not ripe at all
Even though you may of used too long and crooked straw, it sure looked like it went a full 45 on the ripe one and only 15 degrees or so on the unripe 🤷♂️
popular Straw science .......cracked me up
😆
I grow my watermelons hanging so I don't get the patch on it..
Good point- if the melons aren't touching the ground, they won't have that spot.
I don't get that spot on the bottom, as my watermelons are grown on landscape rock and not the soil
Interesting! I've never grown them that way. Thanks for sharing.
I’m growing one vertically in a net so it won’t have any field spot but my plant has a second one and it has a field spot
The only issue is there TINNY only about the size of a large orange/softball but there starting to show signs of being ripe I’ll probably pull them in another 7-10 days the tendrils are almost fully brown and dry 😁
They were an experiment viable seeds from “seedless” mini watermelons for the plant and female flowers then hand pollinated with male followers from a crimson sweet (which failed from spider mites 😒) I’m surprised ant even grew I can’t wait to see how they are inside
@@howtowithelizabeth7513 Ooh- I'd be interested to see how those turn out!
Cant u find a straighter straw?
Is that the key to making this work? I'm dubious...
Lol probably not , bs in my opinion but alot of truth as well if you stick a multi meter with setting on millivolts of corse it has a charge everything seems like it has some millivolts especially your city water lines i dont know why but you can run a led light off it. But who knows im shure their is truth to it but not that easy you would have to do your own test
@@chadwolfeschledgelsteinhau9697 Interesting stuff!
the best time to pick is the day they have to be shipped to get the paycheck
The straw has worked many times.
What is the trick to using the straw- did I do it incorrectly? Thanks!
@@GrowfullywithJenna use a drinking straw. If the straw spins quickly it's ripe. Your correct about the tendril.
Thanks, I'll have to give that a try
Rhonda Rousey
I've been told this before but I still don't see it 😂
Thank you! My watermelon was perfectly ripe!
I'm glad to hear it!
I wasted my first watermelon following this advice. Only the very center was ripe.
If your plants are affected by disease, insects or drought, the tendrils (and plant itself) CAN start to dry up/turn brown before melons are ripe.
I used this method on a watermelon I'm my yard and it was white inside 🤦🏿♂️
Even had a dark yellow bottom.
How was your overall vine health? Some types of disease can cause the tendrils/vines to dry and wither before the melons are ripe.
my first time growing this year,,,
Skip the straw test...lol
Yes- I'm just going to stick to my tendrils 😆, hope you get to enjoy some delicious watermelon very soon!
@@GrowfullywithJenna My first one was awesome ..now I have one hanging on a trellis..debating a scotch block under it.. :D
@@rickfoshie8272 that would probably do the trick! Glad your first one was awesome!