We’ve been watching this watermelon. We’ve researched on the internet about how to tell when it’s ripe. There’s a little curly thing and they say when the one closest to the watermelon stem turns brown, the watermelon is ripe. And, when the underneath part of the watermelon turns yellow, it’s ripe. The curly thing was not brown and the belly was not yellow. I said “let’s wait”. Vince said “It’s ripe!”
He picked it. He said “Are you going to be mad at me if it’s not ripe?” No! It’s just a watermelon and there are 3 or 4 dozen more out there. But what I didn’t say was .. this is the first ever watermelon that I’ve grown and I’ve been watching it and babying it since Day 1 and if you picked it before it’s ripe, heck yea, I’m gonna be mad! I didn’t say that and it’s a good thing.
Not even close! And, he’s so hard headed, he stood in the kitchen and ate half of it and kept saying “It’s not bad . . want some?” Nope, I like my melon ripe!
But, now we know . . the little curly thing has to be dead and the belly of the melon has to be yellow. Too bad we didn’t know that before cutting this one! 
Tinkerfeet says
Well that’s the way you learn. Glad you posted this with a picture because now all of us who don’t know do now. Thanks for helping everyone to learn.
Shirley Albertson Owens (sao) says
I love those days when I learn something new! That watermelon really looked great – on the outside! I can’t even imagine what an “UNRIPE” watermelon would taste like! 🙂
sao in Midlothian, VA
Lynda in Leicestershire says
I know you’ve got watermelon madness, but have you selected a number for the UFO Challenge? I can’t seem to get July’s entry.
Lynda in Leicestershire says
I know you’ve got watermelon madness, but have you selected a number for the UFO Challenge? I can’t seem to get July’s entry.
Lynda in Leicestershire says
I know you’re a bit preoccupied with watermelons, but have you had chance to select a number for July’s UFO Challenge?
JudyL says
Actually, the UFO number was posted right on schedule – on the end of the month – June 30. As always, it’s posted on the blog. As soon as I can, I post the link on the UFO page. Please check the blog on the last day of the month for the new UFO number and for the link to adding your post.
Believe it or not, I can deal with watermelons and blog too! 🙂
Kay Sorensen says
You gotta love a guy like Vince! He follows through!!!!!!!!!!
Kathy Alden says
It sure is a beauty though!! My watermelon vines are just now blooming. I sure hope to at least get one from the garden since its the first time we have grown any.
Helen Koenig1 says
Judy – before you toss the watermelon (Vince is going to get a belly ache if he isn’t careful!) – consider making watermelon rind pickles, watermelon rind preserves (I made these almost daily when I was pregnant with my oldest – YUMMY!) and watermelon marmalade! Easy enough to do. The first 2 are made with the rind – peel off the outside part and NO pink stuff (save any pink stuff for the marmalade! Save juice for some of the most delicious homemade sherbert with a delicate flavor!!!!!) Pickles are spicy – like the pickled peaches. The preserves turn that lovely rind into chunks of DELICIOUS almost candy-like fruits. The Marmalade from the pink part is wonderful on toast – and easy to make. Juice – save in I think it is 2 cup amounts in the freezer – and save as much as you can! YUMMY Oh yeah – the outside skin – that can go to the compost heap – along with the seeds (unless you are saving for planting next year – which you can if they aren’t hybrid!)
Bon says
Watermelon rind pickles are one of the few pickles that I eat. They are wonderful!
Linda in NE says
It’s always tough to know when a watermelon is just ripe enough, but not too ripe. And so disappointing when you cut it open and it’s not “just right.”
Sandy says
I hope Vince doesn’t get a bellyache but if he is like my husband, he wouldn’t admit it so he could be right, lol. How is you foot and bite feeling today? Hope you are on the mend.
Kelli says
I too was going to recommend making a pickle or a jam with the rind. I once won a first place ribbon in the state fair for a rind jam with ginger…delish. ~ksp
Jo says
I just learned from Alton Brown on Good Eats to look for a large yellow belly. The bigger the spot, the longer its been on the ground ripening. I’ve tried that when buying watermelon this summer…its really true!
barbara says
hmmmm…..you’re a better wife than i am, judy. i never could have kept my mouth shut. when he asked, i would have said, sweetly, of course, spmething like ‘well, i wouldn’t be mad, but i would be disappointed.’.
Vickie says
Judy,
I just read something that someone emailed to me. The talked about choosing a ripe watermelon. On the side that is yellowed and a bit “cracked or crinkled” there will be “black bits” … those black bits are actually sugar that has seeped out of the melon. That is when it is ripe and ready to pick, along with a BROWN squiggle tail!
Looked like a beautiful watermelon 🙂
Good luck