Harvesting

Watermelons reach harvest maturity five to six weeks after pollination, depending upon variety and season. The harvest may continue for a further 40-50 days.

Make sure you know the approximate number of days to maturity for your variety.
Watermelons should be harvested before vines become withered, in which case the fruit is over mature.

Over maturity is characterized by flesh mealy in texture and reddish-orange in color.

Determining optimum maturity of a watermelon can be difficult. There are several clues to look for when harvesting:

1. A change in the color of the ground spot (where it lies on the soil) from white to light yellow.

2. A change of tendrils nearest the fruit from green to brown and dry.

3. A change in sound when thumped from a metallic ringing sound to a soft hollow sound.

4. A breakup of green bands at the blossom end of the fruit.

5. Development of ribbed indentations that can be felt with fingertips.

6. The skin becomes resistant to penetration by the thumbnail and is rough to the touch.

No single indicator is absolute for determining ripeness, because maturity differs with variety, location and plant growth.

If harvested immature, red color will develop, but the flesh will never develop acceptable sweetness, because sugar content does not increase after harvest.
Watermelons should be cut from the vine rather than pulled, twisted or broken off. Pulling stems out provides an entrance for bacteria and fungi that can cause souring and can decay the internal flesh.

A sharp knife is used to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving about 3 cm of peduncle attached to the fruit This helps to reduce rotting or deterioration at the stem attachment during storage.

Do not place melons with bottom sides turned up, as the ground spot is easily sun scalded.

Never store picked melons in the sun.

Harvest early in the morning when field heat is low and the fruits are most turgid.

Watermelons should be consumed within two to three weeks after harvest, primarily because of loss of crispness.