Hold one in your hand and slap it with the other. If you can feel the
vibration caused by the slap, in the hand you are holding it in, that is a
good sign that it is ripe. If the tendril and its adjacent leaf closest to
the melon have dried up, that is another good sign. If the melon is white
or yellow on the bottom (depending on the color of the melon), that is a
good sign. Then you try one. If it hasn't ripened yet, give them another
week or two. They will last on the vine for a couple of weeks after they
are ripe enough to pick and still be good.

The weather, amount of water the plants receive, and amount of sun they get
all play a part on when they are ripe. On an extra hot and dry summer, I
have had them show all the signs of being ripe, but weren't. Good luck.

Dwayne





"Loki" wrote in message
...
This is a first for me. It is also my first garden in northern
Louisiana. I thought it would be easy down here!

But, my watermelons are not getting ripe. Most are white even when
they sound hollow and the vine is shriveled.

Got any idea what is going on?

Loki