Picking (harvesting) Watermelon

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Harveting watermelons is not as straight forward as many other vegetables when it comes to deciding exactly when to harvest. One of the reasons is that they do not slip off the vine like cantaloupes when ripe. This makes it is necessary to look for other indicators. Rolling the melon over and looking at the ground spot where the melon was laying is probably the best method. If that portion of the watermelon is a pale yellow color, the melon should be ripe. You can also look at the tendrils (short, curly, stem-like vine) next to the melon. The tendrils are close to the area where a leaf is attached to the main vine. When the first tendril next to the fruit looks dead and dried up, the melon closest to that tendril should be ripe. Watermelons will store longer than other melons and should be refrigerated, especially after cut.

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Picking Cantaloupe (harvesting)

You can start picking cantaloupe when the outside skin starts to turn from green to yellow. A ripe canteloupe easily slips off the vine where it is attached. Caution needs to be taken while picking cantaloupe and when you are working in and around melon plants so as to not step on vines. The vines will most likely have other melons attached to them that need additional time to grow and ripen. Checking the plants every 2 to 3 days for ripening cantaloupes will help ensure you reap the maximum results.

After picking cantaloupe it is important to refrigerate them if you intend to store them for a few days before eating. Ripe cantaloupes do not store well for more that a week once taken off the vine and should be eaten as soon as possible.

Picking canteloupe should be done early in the day after the plants are dry with care being taken not to damage the vines.

Picking canteloupe every other day at the beginning of the season and then every day at peak season is a good schedule to follow.

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