How Do You Know When Watermelons Are Ripe?

There are so many "tales" out there on how to determine if a watermelon is ripe. We tell you the one true way to make sure your watermelons are ripe before pulling them off the vine.
WATERMELON SEEDS - bit.ly/2At8yLT
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0:00 Start
1:10 First Indication Of A Ripe Watermelon
1:37 Example Of An Almost Ripe Watermelon

[@zach42893]

I’ve never had more faith in anyone than this man right here. My guy has grown a couple watermelons

[@JessIsOK]

Same!

[@waynedickson2230]

@@JessIsOKlll

[@grandad400]

rock melons and all pumpkin varieties i've grown have that little curly thingy to and that's how i tell if they're ripe

[@gardeningwithhoss]

It's a proven method for melons and winter squash/pumpkins.

[@BialyOrzel777]

Hmmm watching this program makes go out and get a watermelon , but it's almost 3am here now lol

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Watermelon is good any time of day!

[@publiusmaximus1]

I went from the video to the garden. Finally, a reliable indicator! The melon I picked was delicious!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That's great to hear Paul! Glad we could help. Thanks for watching!

[@jacksonk.2733]

I just picked my first ever watermelon from my garden! 27 pounds. Thanks for this video it really helped me out and relieved a lot of my worries 😊😊

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Great to hear. Enjoy!

[@tylerremmert3023]

This guy is totally legit! Best advice ever! No colors, no spots, no thumpin, real experience for a guy who knows what he's doin'. God Bless You!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Tyler! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@treyjones775]

Best advice I've ever gotten on determining when to pick watermelons. Thank you.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching Trey!

[@cassandracohen6897]

Thank you for being clear in your description about the tendril. It makes all the difference in knowing when to pick.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Happy to help, Cassandra!

[@TexasAmericaUSA]

Excellent wisdom. I'm on my 4th season of growing melons and I only use the tendril turning brown. Sometimes the variety has a spoon leaf also and it turns brown as well.

[@jobelb.garcela9476]

We got the same sign of ripe water Mellon transferred to us by my first generation siblings ( I'm the third ) who were farming in the 60's in my Country the Philippines.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good to hear!

[@debraarizona4809]

Great detailed video, now I know when my melons are ripe.This is my first year planting anything, trying to learn all I can..Thank you!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good luck with your watermelons this year!

[@barbarafritchie2000]

Thank you. This is my first year planting water melon and cantaloupe.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@Njennings42]

Perfect, thanks! I very much appreciate this. I'm going to watch some more of your videos to see if I can pick up any new tricks!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've got lots of videos with lots of tricks. Hope you enjoy the content.

[@te2952]

My Grandfather ( a farmer all of his life) grew huge acres and acres of watermelons in TN. He was a pro, then he would sell them. When he got too old to farm, he taught me when I was at the grocery store to buy a watermelon. He thumped it a certain way, taught me how to thump it & according to the sound of the thump would tell me if the watermelon was ripe or not ripe enough after being pulled from the vine sitting in a grocery store. He passed away 17 yrs ago. I still do his thump listening to the sound before I buy a watermelon from the store, because you don't know how long it has been in the store. 4 times I forgot to thump listening to the sound, and the watermelon wasn't ripe and tasted terrible. I do the thump listening first before buying my watermelon. Works everytime picking the ripest one.

[@abrahamaruquipa6701]

thank you for your video it is very clear. My first time growing watermelons in New Zealand and I am enjoying just seeing them the size of "Crimson sweet" variety. I will follow your instructions, now I know when to harvest them also I learned that word "Curly Q" Thanks

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Greetings from "across the pond." Hope you have a great watermelon crop this year!

[@NubianP6]

Thank you for this video. This is my 1st year growing watermelons, and I chose to grow a few different varieties, including the Crimson Sweet. (I'm also in Georgia) I've been scared to death of picking them too early, because I know that once it's been picked, what you've got is what it's going to be. Now I'll definitely be out there checking the condition of those "Curly Q's" first thing in the morning! 🙂Thanks again!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good luck with your watermelons. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

[@GtrPknMama]

Just give me a watermelon and a spoon! I just cut one in half and ya have your bowl.... nothin better than watermelon! Boy howdy!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Indeed! Only a few more months and we'll be eating fresh watermelon! Thanks for watching.

[@SDPryce-jo5yp]

This is super super helpful. I had two melons around back that I've been asking persons about but no one gave me good advice as to know when they are ripe. I watched this video half way through and ran straight outside in the dark with my cellphone light. Checked the curly q and recognized it was dried all the way back. Got that melon inside the house and split it right open. Its fully ripe and very sweet. Thanks for the advice it's the best I've gotten.

[@kevinhipps1236]

I've had trouble with some of my watermelons over the past few years and this year they are looking good but I did not know when to pick them your explanation was very simple and very comprehensive thank you very much for making something so easy

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for sharing

[@shalesemitchell5737]

Thank you so much Hoss Tools this was very helpful and I must say you do have a very nice garden and some very nice watermelons your growing.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@5_meter_spread]

First year growing watermelons up in CT, planted 8 plants and have about 40 lol. Came here to see when they are ready for picking. Thanks for the help!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Sounds great!

[@sararaya9928]

Very nice and helpful sign of ripening watermelon. This is my first time growing watermelon and cantaloupe. Thank you for your time and help.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@condensermike]

You got great videos. Thanks for the tips.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thanks for the great tips.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@CapnAhab89]

Thanks so much for the great video! I am growing sugar baby variety in my garden this year. First time growing watermelons. I have 6 currently growing and one large one that should be ready in a few days. Thanks to you, now I know when to pick.

[@gp9532]

With sugar babies you wanna wait another 7-10 days after the tendril has completely dried b4 picking. Sugar babies are on their own schedule ... even in this video, the gentleman noted he could have waited a few more days b4 the melon would have been fully ripe. So dried up tendril doesn't necessarily mean fully ripened.

[@CapnAhab89]

@@gp9532 thanks so much for the tip! My biggest is about halfway dried on the nearest tendril so I have a good ways to go. I am getting impatient, but don’t want to make the mistake of picking before it’s ready and regretting it. I’ll make sure to wait longer after it’s fully dried as you suggested. Do you happen to have any pruning tips? I have a handful of plants and several watermelons set. My growing season is nearly at an end in NE Montana and I want to make sure those others ripen as best as they can. Thanks in advance!

[@charleywalker2982]

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You bet!

[@kinglittlefoot]

One of the best videos on youtube. Thanks

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@plague6716]

Thank you for this video, it was very helpful

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're very welcome!

[@garyjr6851]

Thanks for the tip!! Very knowledgeable.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewstein9257]

Great video sir. Thank you so much.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching Matthew!

[@micktaylor2500]

Great way to tell a watermelon is ripe thanks from Australia 👍👍

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching all the way over in Australia!

[@abideenturky]

Awesome Excellent productions Thank you for uploading and sharing your experience with your followers on KZbin today

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@RedForeman]

I live in Fulton county Ga .. I grew some melons from the seeds out of a watermelon I bought 👀 I’m ready to eat it NOW !

[@dhansel4835]

We used to grow the Charleston Grey melons. I always go by the curly 'q' to make sure the water melon is ready to be picked. It's nothing like getting in the garden in the early morning and busting open a cool sweet watermelon. Bring some salt so when you grab the heart out it's the best.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

D Hansel no salt for us, but nothing beats a vine ripe watermelon on a hot day!

[@bollyking]

We usually are people purchasing from the grocery store looking at things how to figure out a ripe watermelon. Wish we had access to those vines growing them melons.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That's why it's so much better to grow them yourself -- very hard to tell in a grocery store.

[@nelsonbeltran9720]

Very nice info! Thank you sir!👏👏👏 God bless🙏

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@richieewinns]

I know one thing for sure, the south sure produces some sweet juicy watermelons! I got some in my backyard right now and boy they help me survive the heat in tx.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Nothing beat a good sweet watermelon on a hot day.

[@kmrem77]

Wow, very knowledgeable tip man! Now I know when to pick ripe melons. What about cantaloupes are they the same? Thank you very much!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Yes, cantaloupes are the same.

[@kmrem77]

Hoss Tools thank you!

[@atiyaatif]

We are patiently waiting to pick our 3 watermelons our son planted in may. We messed up the first one by picking it up too soon, thanks to your video we now know when to pick the other 3.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

atiya atif You're welcome. Enjoy your watermelons!

[@masonhinshaw2471]

I loved that advice at the end and think I’ll take it to heart now

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching.

[@lssimon.7143]

Interesting. thanks for the lesson I've been doing it wrong all the time.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome Lesroy!

[@rhizerjas1798]

Best advice sir I'm watching from Philippines God bless you

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@rhizerjas1798]

You're welcome sir Rj Gorge my Facebook please add me

[@ravdog470]

This man is an absolute icon!!

[@mtpocketswoodenickle2637]

I know it's a bit old school, but it works well and children are especially amazed with this method. Take a long stalk of dead or dried hay field grass or weed and break the seed head off. You want a 10 to 14 inch piece or so, now clear the vines or weeds around the melon surface and wipe it somewhat clean. Balance your sprig as best you can on the melon surface and watch to see its reaction. If it's ripe it'll spin nearly 360°....This is one, of the many ways I've intrigued my children and grandchildren into becoming interested in gardening!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Now that's a new one we've never heard before!

[@autumnforest3987]

The way he says watermelon is different than what I've heard in Alabama. I can finally tell if a watermelon is ripe. Yay!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Our Georgia accent isn't too far from an Alabama accent. Hope you have a great watermelon crop!

[@yolicastro6639]

Great video. Now I know not to thump but to just check on the curly q. Thank you. I’m heading to my backyard garden now. I have more than 50 pieces of big ones!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dantagailo7917]

best advice ever ❤❤❤

[@briangreen256]

This is my first year growing watermelon and cantaloupe.

[@brandonlewis3379]

awesome video, I'll be sure to use this for when I get my watermelon though I'm not from georgia (north carolina) here I'm a hardcore watermelon eater. Thanks yall for this video.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

When watermelons are ripe in the garden, we like to eat at least one a day. Thanks for watching!

[@garygalloway6959]

My 2nd time growing watermelon....1st time, I picked a lit of unripe ones. Thanks for the knowledge, brother! Looking forward to harvest now!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching, Gary!

[@johnakimlucien2140]

Loved this video, and these watermelons look so appetizing. They're one of my favorite fruits

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We love them too! Best treat ever on a hot summer day.

[@robertlacy5147]

Good to know will not forget.

[@Big88Country]

The trick is to be able to tell which watermelon to pick from the grocery store or produce market! I've always went for the one that had the yellowest belly and would kind of give or make a cracking sound when you push on it. Any other advice Mr. Hoss? Man, I am enjoying y'alls videos!

[@Vector_Ze]

I've seen the dried tendril tip with regard to a different type of watermelon (Sugar Baby). Is this pretty much a rule for most types of watermelon? Thanks!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Yes, that's the general rule for all melons.

[@liuafonua5288]

Thank you sir... and for what you do too

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertwyche300]

EXCELLENT INFORMATION 👍👍 CONCISE AND TO THE POINT BRAVO!!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@teresascott525]

Thanks Im in Texas and growing melons I didn't think it would grown and I have two on different vines.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Hope you have a great harvest!

[@austin101t4]

Totally the best watermelon indicator video out there on the KZbin platform!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks, Austin! Appreciate the support!

[@midsouthhomestead9180]

This was so helpful. Boy do you know your MELONS!

[@binoytv3415]

Thanks for this i got nice idea

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for watching!

[@chancemiller9340]

Excellent explanation!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chancemiller9340]

@@gardeningwithhoss- It saved me from harvest the watermelon out my window before it was ready. My mom will be thankful as well.

[@FarmersSon]

*Nice information* , we are doing watermelons farming 😍👍

[@gardeningwithhoss]

So nice of you

[@Pigearvet]

Good video great instruction. I have this nailed down. I'm growing whopper watermelon right here in Canada.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That's great to hear!

[@uvweyweydiogenes2424]

Any tips for growing blue watermelons?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Haha. Good one. Those blue watermelons are very elusive.

[@marconjakecanonoy]

Oh ok nice thanks sir very informative

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Always welcome

[@krisoluich9119]

Thank you for the tip about looking at the tendril. BTW, Crimson Sweet is my favorite too; though Sangria rocks if you’re into giants.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for the recommendation. We'll have to check out that variety!

[@garyschmelzer3825]

you open that watermelon like a professional you are thanks Greg

[@gardeningwithhoss]

He's had plenty of practice. Thanks for watching!

[@lanidelacruzramsey927]

Thank you now I know when to harvest my watermelon 😁😁😁♥️♥️🙏🙏

[@gardeningwithhoss]

lani dela cruz glad we could help.

[@nickrosenbaum9423]

Love the videos. Just wish it was as easy to grow this kind of stuff here in Montana. This year I am trying them in my greenhouse so we'll see how that turns out.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Good luck!

[@utulangi6078]

Dude, that's the best indicator of watermelon ripeness i've ever heard; and the best, as far as i'm concerned. Thank you sir.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@utulangi6078]

@@gardeningwithhoss great videos. Thank you.

[@anthonyciccariello8089]

That's awesome!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks!

[@Millennial_Gardener]

Great video!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks!

[@alan_f_]

Thank you so much! I am grateful to you for taking the time to make this video. My wife and I just harvested our first watermelon out of our garden using your advice. It was perfect! I hadn't had a watermelon that good since I was a kid growing up in Florida.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That's great to hear! Enjoy your watermelons.

[@mountaintrails1198]

My first year growing Watermelons up here in Blairsville, Ga. My dad said he never had excellent luck and didn't have high hopes for them. I ended up with a bumper crop of Crimson Sweet. Some are massive! I weighed one at 41 pounds!! My dad is a watermelon lover, and told me it was the best tasting watermelon he has ever had. He is 75 years old and had farmed his entire life....I'll take that compliment!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for sharing. Great job

[@jsmyth024]

Greetings from Athens, and thanks a bunch! We're growing crimson sweet too! Time for sweet eating.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Hard to beat a fresh watermelon!

[@1Ceemarie]

Thank you for sharing. And that is a good tip at the end about the kidney stones. Did not know that. Thanks!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mustangmadd3172]

I grew some black diamond watermelons this year. I haven't been able to pick a ripe one yet. I have tried every trick, curley q dried up, yellowing on bottom, hollow sound, applying pressure and listen for squishing sound, and still haven't picked a ripe one.

[@AngelaWrightSnaPPinGLiFE]

Thank you so very much for your wonderful knowledge! 🤗 Right after I watched your video I went to my garden and checked the curly cue on my watermelons and walla! Out of 13 melons 3 had dryed curls I opened one up and Wow! Red & delicious ...A couple more days it would have been over ripe... I lost my first watermelon I think now due to being over ripe. It split but smelled & looked wonderful. Not a Total Lost...The ants enjoyed it. Big Thanks Again! 😁

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful. Enjoy your watermelons!

[@gamelard1963]

im going to grow some georgia rattlesnake next year. looking forward to them.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Hope it turns out great for you! Thanks for watching!

[@grayman2148]

I'm never driving through Cordele at the right time of year. Darn!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

If you drink don't drive, do the watermelon crawl.

[@deepdixie1979]

Thanks for the video HossTools. I'm a fellow South Georgian too, in Turner Co. There is quite a bit of commercial Watermelon farming right around my homeplace. I always plant some in my garden just for family and friends. I picked the first of the Crimson's today. Still waiting on the Jubilee's to ripen. I have lost a few melons this Spring to what appears to be Blossom End Rot. All the Research I have done indicates a lack of Calcium in my dirt. I put out Lime every other year, in the fall. I fertilize with 10-10-10 preplant, then side dress one application of the same when the vines set fruit. You ever have any End Rot in your melons?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Yes, We have. using plenty of good compost pre plant seems to help.Crop rotation and cover crops are also some things to consider.

[@mindseyewatering6635]

Good info, thank you. Does this apply to other melons like cantaloupe and honeydew?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We mostly go by the color on cantaloupes.

[@BAP3221]

I planted mine back in April. The plant grew but no watermelon. I just found out while we were going to clear the garden because everything died out that 4 watermelons grew. 2 of them are large like the video but the color is still light green. Since it is a late bloomer and I dont know when they grew out. Do I still follow the stem? The Curly q looks dried out but the watermelon is still light green. The outer skin is very smooth still.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

The color is not a good indicator because the sun can bleach the melons. Use the curly Q as your best indicator.

[@AlienMyth64]

this guy is such a badass

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Haha. He loves his watermelon!

[@Ohchelle2nasty]

I love the accent I’m from texas but your accent is perfect

[@youngicy]

I love this video 😂 watermelon a day keeps the kidney stones away

[@projectprodigy2499]

I was wondering how to tell if a melon was ripe. My young son wants to be a farmer and planted some in the backyard. It's working close to 3 months so they should be just about ready. I got to look at the curly thing now.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Hope you all have a great harvest!

[@Pigearvet]

Good information I plan on using for my Sweet Siberians up here in Canada eh. Thank You

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@scubathemc9178]

I think now ima start calling tendrils "curly cues" lol

[@cindyp5132]

The tentacle on a few of my Crimsons are dried but I've left them on the vine because I like them very ripe and figure it's the best place for it to ripen. But I wonder how long after it's dried can you leave it before it starts to rot? I've checked them and there is not rotting yet... I think the Crimsons are the absolute BEST! From Western NC. Thanks!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

If you leave them too long, the heart or center of the melon can start to deteriorate. It would be best to pick them and put them under a shade tree. Then you can eat them as you wish. That's what we do.

[@cward970]

good one i have crimson sweet and gor. rattle snakes from BAKER CREEK MO. USA

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Both great varieties.

[@rabbitskinner]

Thanks boss

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You bet!

[@bjb0808]

Thank you so much! I live in Japan and I am teaching people the Georgian way!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Haha! Hello from WAY across the pond!

[@bjb0808]

Hello! I'm originally from Pittsburgh and was very happy to find this. No one (and these are veteran rice and tobacco farmers who grow melons for themselves) knew of this way of telling when a watermelon is ripe. They were very impressed. Thank you! 💕

[@queenteireigns6212]

Wow thanks is it the same for cantaloupe?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

As the fruit mature, the surface netting becomes a tan-ish/brown color and the skin right below the netting starts to yellow.

[@bullsnutsoz]

On desert oil rigs the best thing you can eat is watermelon.It lifts you when you are down and out keeps you hydrated and pissing really well.Great tucker for health in hot conditions

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We agree! It's one of the most refreshing things to consume on a hot day. Thanks for watching.

[@abdfakhour7561]

Hello, I would like to plant watermelon seeds crimson sweet and my question is and you grafted them with squash seed yes yes what variety because I already try with watermelon seeds that I consume but it remains small thank you for your answer for France

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We don't graft our watermelons. We plant from seed in our greenhouse and then transplant into the garden.

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Haven't tasted a good watermelon in years. The supermarket produce in Cali is tasteless.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We hear that a lot. You've got to grow your own to get the best quality.

[@joegarcia1674]

Like everything else in California..it's fake..

[@7inchexhaust]

East coast here, and I get about 1 good watermelon out of 10 from the supermarket. So not isolated to Cali.

[@ballforlife6523]

@@joegarcia1674 you wish you could live here

[@paulyarek]

@@joegarcia1674 Womens breasts?

[@debraarizona4809]

I did what you said,I picked my melon when the curly que closes to my melon was dried,all the way to where it just. met with main stem. You were right that melon was delicious and ripe all the way through!!😁👍👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thank you for that great advice😃👍👍👍you are the melon king!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Awesome! Glad your melon was just right!

[@debraarizona4809]

@@gardeningwithhoss 😊👍

[@Jamescityboygardening]

You have heard of Immokalee, FL. It's been knowns as far back as 40-50s as the watermelon capitol of the U.S.

[@cpenn9304]

Been growing watermelons for years in NC and have never seen the dead curl method fail.A green melon does have a white or light colored bottom.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

The belly color is definitely a great secondary ripeness indicator.