There is a simple and sure way to tell when a watermelon is ready to
eat (ripe). Where the melon joins the vine, there will be a leaf and
what is called a "Curl". No doubt, you have noticed some of these
curls up and down the vine- -but the only one you are interested in is
the one where the melon joins the vine. When it is totally
brown(dead), the melon is ready to harvest. If for any reason, like
thumping the melon, or any other method, you harvest the melon before
this occurs- -you waste your melon.

I raise melons every year, and have for many years. This year I
raised in excess of 200. To see a picture of some I raised go to
http://www.rogerandpeggy.com check the last photo on the page.

Size has nothing to do with it.

Have a good day Rogerx

On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 03:07:14 GMT, "downsized diva"
wrote:

Hi,

We finally got the watermelon to begin growing--it started a week ago and
now, how long to I wait? I ahve read the post about seeing how ready they
are--but size? Does the outside become mottled?

Theresa