See photo - is this watermelon ready to harvest?

[Braddmd]

I have about 7 watermelons of varying sizes. The tendril is starting to brown on this one, but it seems like it may still be growing. Any idea if it is ready to harvest? I planted in mid May and it is August 19th.

[jal_ut]

The tendril where the stem of the melon hits the vine should be completely brown. The melon should also have a nice yellow bottom where it sits on the ground. You can thump it if you like. I never was sure what I could learn from that but its fun ......

The only way to tell if a melon is ready is pick it and cut it open. If in doubt...... wait.

[Braddmd]

Thanks for the info. I think it's a bit early. Just starting together brown. This baby is almost ready too. Maybe another week.

[ElizabethB]

Brad - short answer is NO. Wait until the stem end has dried and turned brown. You may need to wait more than a week.

Good Luck

[bombcat]

Looks like your melon is still very young. I read that watermelon needs 100 days for it to be ripe.

[ElizabethB]

The browning is supposed to be on the stem end - not the butt end.