Hey there watermelon lover!
Lucky for you (and me) it’s finally that time of year when the beloved watermelon starts showing up at every party, vacation, family event, church social and farmer’s market across the country. You can eat it to your heart’s content and, because they’re so big, still have plenty to share. What more could you ask of this giant red melon pretending to be green?
Well, other than an easy way to know if it’s perfectly ripe. Because, truth is, most people have no idea.
Tomorrow, Thursday, August 3, is National Watermelon Day. Not sure who comes up with this stuff but if we can have a National Underwear Day (Aug. 5) and a National Chop Suey Day (Aug. 29) then why not a day to celebrate America’s favorite melon. I considered all the different kinds of recipes I could make with watermelon and came up with exactly zero. Truth is, we are watermelon purists at my house and just eat it straight. So the best thing I can tell you to do with watermelons is to pick a good one. Here’s how…
Unlike cantaloupes and honeydews, watermelons don’t continue to ripen once they’re cut off the vine. If it’s not perfectly ripe when you buy it, it never will be, so the pressure to pick a good one is high.
I find it amusing when I walk by someone at the grocery store knocking on watermelons like some little mythical creature is gonna open an invisible door and tell them it’s ripe. I’ve done it, but it feels incredibly silly and they usually all sound the same to me anyway. If you want to use this method, you are looking for the watermelon to sound hollow as opposed to a dull thud, whatever that means. If you can beat on a bunch of melons and find the most hollow sounding one then you’re a better produce inspector than I. It’s on my list of things to check, but it’s at the bottom.
Another thing you want to look for in a watermelon is that it’s a uniform oval shape (meaning it got enough sun and water) and that it’s heavy for it’s size. This last factor isn’t easy to measure since it entails hoisting several watermelons but the good news is you can count it as part of your daily workout. Or, if you’re like me, your entire workout. A melon that seems heavier than its neighbors has lots of water in it, and that means juicier, sweeter flesh. This is pretty much the rule for all fruit–heavy equals juicy. Because, really, who wants to eat dry fruit? Yuck!
The final, and most important thing to look for on a watermelon is the field spot. That’s the big light colored area on one side of the melon where it laid on the ground. If it has a very small spot or no spot, walk away. The watermelon develops this light spot as it ripens so if the field spot isn’t decently large it means the watermelon was picked way too soon.
The longer a watermelon stays on the vine the sweeter it will be. The field mark gives you important information not just by it’s presence but by it’s color since it gets darker the longer the melon stays on the vine. If the field spot is white it was approaching ripe. If it’s light yellow, it’s just barely ripe and if it’s dark yellow, it’s perfectly ripe. Find the melon with the darkest yellow spot and if you can find one approaching orange you win the jackpot. The prize is a fabulous watermelon!
The picture is to show you what I’m talking about but the “best” one on the right is still not a dark enough yellow to be perfect. It was the best one at my grocery store so I went with it. Just remember that you’re on a mission to find a watermelon with the darkest yellow, approaching orange, field spot possible. At the beginning of August we’re just starting watermelon season here which might explain the disappointing selection at my grocery store and ultimately leads to trick #1.
How To Pick A Perfect Watermelon
(going from most important to least important)
1. Buy in season and preferably from your local Farmer’s Market. Or better yet, grow your own. For most of the country, watermelon season starts in late July but August is the peak. If you insist on buying watermelons in January, you’re on your own!
2. Pick a watermelon with a large field spot on one side. You will easily find ones with white spots but you want one with the darkest yellow spot you can get your hands on. Approaching orange is ideal.
3. A watermelon should be heavy for it’s size. Compare it by lifting several other melons of the same size. Count it as your daily workout.
4. Pick a watermelon that has a uniform oval shape, indicating it got adequate sun and water.
5. Knock on the outside of the watermelon listening for a hollow sound, not a thud. Once you give up on the pointless knocking, look at the skin. It should be dull, not shiny. A shiny watermelon is under-ripe.
For those of you who have chickens make sure you throw them the rinds. Humans aren’t the only creatures who love a good watermelon.
P.S. If you don’t own chickens but are thinking about it read my post 10 Reasons You Should Raise Backyard Chickens…and 5 reasons you shouldn’t.
Sally at Garden Valley Homestead says
This is really helpful! One thing I haven’t grown in my garden yet is watermelon. Now I know what to look for when I do.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hi Sally–thanks for stopping by. Growing your own watermelon is the way to go and the same rules apply. It’s even better because if the watermelon isn’t ready you can just leave it on the vine and come back a few days later. They take a lot of space and like a long, hot growing season but if you can grow it, nothing beats a homegrown watermelon. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
Jade @ Grown and Raised says
Hi Lead, Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! We love watermelon in the summer, and just tried canning pickled watermelon rinds. Never tried them before, but I’m sure they will taste great.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome Jade! I love that you pickled the rinds. I guess if I wanted to do that I’d have to pry them away from my voracious chickens. Could be dangerous! LOL! Have a fabulous week and let me know how the pickled rinds turn out.
–Leah
Jody says
I wish I had read this before I picked my first watermelon of the year out of our garden (um, actually our flower bed)! It wasn’t quite ripe yet. I checked out the next one, and it doesn’t have much of a spot yet. I will wait!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
I feel for you Jody! When you grow your own watermelons, waiting is the hardest part. Watermelons like to be on the vine a very long time so if you can hold out as much as possible, they will reward you for your patience. I’ve actually been desperate enough to buy them at the farmer’s market while I waited for my homegrown ones to ripen in the garden. Frustrating but worth it. Thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
Hata Trbonja says
Hello,
Thank you so much for posting this. I LOVE watermelon. In fact, I just polished a whole huge one by myself. It took a few days but it was delicious. Great tips! PS, the farmers markets are incredible here in France, maybe one day you can come over and experience them.
Visiting from SITS.
Hata
http://www.chicagotofrance.com
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Hello from America Hata! I have traveled all over Europe but unfortunately have only been to your country once and only to Paris. But still, I could easily move to France for the food alone and I’m sure the farmer’s markets are heaven. Thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
Jennifer Johnson says
I have had the worst time with picking watermelon this year!!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
I hope this helps you find a great one next time, Jennifer. Nothing worse than a disappointing watermelon and nothing better than finally getting a perfect one. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
Sonya says
Thanks for the tips. I have been avoiding watermelons with big field spots. I thought they were a bad thing. I’m glad I know now. I’m excited about buying my next watermelon.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
So glad I could help Sonya! Remember, the darkest yellow/orange spot you can find. Thanks for stopping by.
–Leah
Michelle says
THANK YOU! I will use these tips today. I love watermelons but have no idea how to pick a good one. Stopping by from SITS
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Don’t feel bad Michelle, most people don’t. Based on how many unripe ones I see at the grocery store, I’m guessing a lot of farmers don’t even know.. Maybe these things taught in highschool. Hmmm…
–Leah
JES says
What a wonderful set of tips! I have always struggled to find a good melon so I really appreciate this! Thank you for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays. Please join us again next week 🙂
fabulous Farm Girl says
Your so welcome Jes–glad I could help! Will definitely join in again.
–Leah
JES says
This post was featured on the Art of Home-Making Mondays this week! Thanks for sharing this handy homemaking hint with us 🙂
Patty says
Well…I learn something new today.. how to pick the best watermelon.. Thanks.. Blessings!
fabulous Farm Girl says
That’s great Patty! Any day that you learn something new is a good day in my book. Glad I could help. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
vickie says
Thanks for the tips I need them! I think I just get lucky when I get the perfect one! I’ll give this a try.
Fabulous Frm Girl says
You’re welcome Vicki and don’t feel bad, that’s how I used to be. Since I learned this method I haven’t had a bad watermelon in 2 years. But keep in mind that I have occasionally had to walk away and buy a different fruit. I would rather have no watermelon than a bad watermelon. Have a great weekend!
–Leah
Jenny says
I’ve never been good at picking out a watermelon. Thank you for sharing this! I can’t wait to try this!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome Jenny! Glad I could help. Just remember, dark yellow/orangish and heavy and you’re good. Thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
Dee Dee says
I live in Texas and we LOVE watermelon. I have always wondered how to pick the perfect watermelon. I often ask my husband who has a bs and ms in agriculture and he has no clue. I see people knocking on watermelons and they can’t tell me what they are looking for. I have heard the more sting marks the better. But, the ripening orange makes perfect sense. Now, I’m on my way to pick one up. Thanks. Stopping by from SITS.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome Dee Dee! That is so funny about your husband. Ag programs really should teach a class on how to know if your produce is ripe. Heck, I think it should be taught in high school! Oh well, now you can teach your smart hubby something. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
S.Lynn says
I had the grocer pick one out for me last year. It was so terrible I took it back and they gave me a refund. I have now grown my own (Georgia Rattlesnake-get to 55 lbs) and we just ate the first one-only 25 pounds. So much better than any grocery store purchase. I had heard it’s the spot that the tell. Thanks!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome S. Lynn! Growing your own is always the best and I’m jealous you live in a climate where they can grow that big. The best part about growing them yourself is that if you look and the spot isn’t very dark yellow you can just leave it on the vine and wait a while. You never have to be stuck with an under-ripe watermelon because you decide when it gets picked. I hope you have a bumper crop and that they’re all delicious!
–Leah
Jeff says
Farmers DO know when they’re ripe, but when you’re picking the field they ALL go. I was told about the ‘field spot’, as you call it, when I was very young (maybe 7-8 years old?). If I remember correctly the old-timers called it the ‘down side’. Great read! Hopefully you’ve educated some folks who insist on knocking on the melons, trying to find the perfect one. I grow melons every year, alternating yearly between watermelon and cantaloupe.
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks for your comment Jeff. I think you’re probably right that farmers do know when they’re ripe but they are stuck in a food system that requires them to ship their produce all at once and probably on a deadline. Hadn’t really thought of that. That’s why it’s better to grow your own like you do or go to a farmer’s market. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
Tracy Lynn Fredrychowski says
I started using this method last year and I have not gotten a bad one yet! It works!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks for your comment Tracy! It’s always nice to get reinforcements. Have a fabulous week!
–Leah
Tisha says
Nice pic! But i don’t pick watermelon for chicken,and for me :). Thank you so much!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
You’re welcome, Tisha!
–Leah
Melissa says
This is hands-down the most useful thing I have read on the internet in years! hahaha I am terrible at picking watermelons!! My method is to pick one, then find one that is opposite of the one I picked because my instincts are terrible with melons. Thanks!
fabulous Farm Girl says
Thanks, Melissa! You just gave me my first good laugh of the day. You win the prize for the most cynical, albeit hilarious, way to pick a watermelon. Your prize is that now you know how to pick a good one. Try not to judge all the people in the grocery store still standing around knocking on them. LOL! Have a fabulous weekend!
–Leah
Susan W says
Hello. I’m one of those that “tap” watermelons, lol. It has worked for me every time in the past few years. I mostly listen for the hollow sound because it means more firmer flesh. The dud sound, means is mushy inside (that’s solely based on my buying experience). I’m glad I found these tips, I will look for the coloration next season. Thank you!!
Fabulous Farm Girl says
That is awesome Susan! You’re one of the very few people who actually posses this ability. I, for sure, do not. Since you know what to listen for I suggest you use all three methods. Between listening, looking and lifting, you’re gonna win the watermelon lottery every time. Thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
karen says
great post nad thanks for the advice, going to use these tips next time I;m at Whole Foods. Stopping by from #SaturdaySharefest
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
Finally! A Guide to picking the perfect watermelon is at my fingertips! Thanks for this, these are great tips! 🙂 (visiting from Sharefest)
Rebecca says
How cool is this – I’ve been disappointed when I pick watermelons in the past but I know the “scoop” now !!! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from The Sits Girls.
luci says
Love it! I didn’t quite know the importance of that spot.
Janice says
Where have these tips been my whole life? I have been knocking on watermelons and hoping for the best…thanks for my future of better watermelons!
Morgan says
You might be my new favorite person. Watermelons are my all time favorite. I’ve been known to eat an entire large on in 1 or 2 days. THat field mark tip is GOLD! I ‘m no good at the tapping or even the weight tests, so I usually just buy the biggest one I can find and cross my fingers, ha!
Leah says
So glad I could help Morgan. There’s nothing more disappointing to us watermelon addicts than cutting into one and finding out you bought a dud. NOOOO!!!! If you buy in season and find the darkest yellow field spot, you’ll be the hero at every family gathering. Assuming you’re willing to share. LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
qualityherbalsupplements says
Thanks for the tips.
qualityherbalsupplements says
Thank you so much for posting this.
Liz (Eight Acres) says
Great advice! And I feed the leftovers to my chickens too 🙂