Sugarbaby water mellons

[gundogblue]

I planted three sugarbaby mellon plants around mid June, those three plants have really taken off and I now have 12 mellons I think almost ready to go, and theres still tons of flowers on the plants!! The mellons I have are a nice dark green a little bigger than a twelve inch softball, but what I need to know is whats the best way to tell when the mellons are ready to pick? Any info will be greatly appriciated.
Paul

[johnnygreen]

...those sugar babys will be ready to pick when the vine seperates
easily from the melon...also the under side of the melon will have
a slight discoloration.(a no-tug melon)
i have found that it is best to put a bed of dirt(soil) underneath
the melon to keep from rotting.
...and remember...they take lots of water.

[gundogblue]

Thanks alot I appriciate the info, I just got in from watering the mellons, and the whole garden, it takes about 4 hours, but it's worth it.
Paul