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Once again I have grown watermelon and not gotten to enjoy the fruit. How do you know when watermelons are ready to be picked. I seem to either pick them to early or not soon enough. HELP!
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Haha! We always "thumped" them! NOW.... It would be hard to explain this sound as I had NO clue what it was growing up. They all sounded alike to ME! lol
Nice to see you back, Bro!
-BuggyI'm not a fatalist. I'm a realist. -
Good to be back. I've tried thumping them but I'm the one mostly getting thumped. Got ONE melon this year that was perfect (not to mention delicious) and all the rest were either not ripe or to far gone. It's a challenge now, so I'll probably die still trying to get them right. LOL!Originally posted by Buggyout View PostComment
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OK most watermelon need a minimum of 75 days from the day of planting the seeds till you are ready to pick the fruit. You should have between 75-80 days to pick the fruit. Look at the hull of the watermelon is it the same color all over. Thump the hull does it sound different then the others? Pick and cut one open then taste the fruit. That is the only way to be sure.Comment
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You can watch the curly cue on the end when it is dried the melon should be ready to pick. Look at the under side of melon if it pale color and look a bit scratched up then it is read to eat. Hi DaleComment
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Never grew watermelon. Don't have enough garden space. Wish I could be of some help.
Glad you are back. We missed you.Comment
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Dale are you living in the southern states? Because here in Florida watermelon is known as a cash crop. You can get it to grow almost any where.Comment
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Rich, I'm in the heart of West Virginia at about 2500 ft elevation. Spring usually comes late and fall comes early. Doesn't stop me from trying. Almost time to build that new greenhouse.Originally posted by RICHFL View PostComment
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What variety are you growing? You might be better off with a short season melon like I have to grow, types like "Blacktail Mountain", "Sugar Baby" or "Cream Of Saskatchewan". The "Moon & Stars (van Doreen strain) might help you out as well, as the "moon' is a good yellow-gold when time. All of those and melons which originated in the Russian and Crimea areas do well in short season, cooler climares, like my own. You probably want to stay away from varieties which take longer, like the "Charleston Grey", which take longer to grow out, as they are 30-40# melons. Stick to the smaller varieties, unless you have a large family or an upcoming party.
Cedar
Last edited by Cedar; 10-27-2017, 07:31 PM.Comment
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I'm growing sugar babies. Would change if I could find something that matures faster. I think I'm starting the plants indoors this year. Building a new greenhouse in 2 years and going back to Aquaponics.Originally posted by Cedar View PostComment
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Plant them in location, but cloque them. Milk jugs? Tomato cages with clear plastic bags over them...Originally posted by dalewick View Post
Cedar
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The wind in my location is NOT good for leaving anything "light weight", less than a truck outside in the springtime. Routinely get 45 to 55 mph winds in spring and winter. I live on top of a Mountain at 2600 feet in elevation. Thanks for the thought.Originally posted by Cedar View PostComment
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Shouldn't be at ground level. Although I know some places can get nasty winds. Where there is a will, and an obsession for gardening, there is a way. Set old sliding glass doors as a wall on the wind side of the garden. I have had good luck with those five gallon clear water jugs with the bottoms jigsawed off and pushed a couple inches into the soil. The winds tend to push around them.
I think even the stouter wire tomato cages would work if pushed 5-6" deep.
CedarComment
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