On Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:39:32 -0700 (PDT), Red
wrote:

How does one know that watermelons are ripe on the vine, other than
the morning after coyotes ruin the whole patch? Since animal
repellant washes away with rain/watering, I'd like to start applying
it a couple of weeks before harvesting but I can't tell when that time
is until it's too late. Or does animal repellant even work with wiley
coyotes?

Red

It may not be a viable option for you, but we haven't had any problems
with coyotes or deer since we got a dog. Unfortunately, the slugs
aren't afraid of her ; )

Newb