When to Harvest Watermelon for the Juiciest, Most Delicious Fruit

There’s something special about taking that first juicy bite of a sweet, homegrown watermelon after waiting patiently for harvest. Although the summertime favorite is a fairly easy plant to grow, knowing when to harvest can be tricky if you don't know what to look (or listen) for.

Unlike other melons, watermelons do not continue to ripen off the vine. When harvested too early, your long-awaited melon will lack its classic sweet flavor, bright coloring, and juicy texture. In short, if you pick it too early, you miss out on all its goodness.

The good news is that there are a few telltale signs your watermelon is mature and ready to pick. Here, our experts show you what to look for and share tips on when and how to harvest your watermelon for optimal enjoyment.

When to Harvest Watermelon

While there are simple giveaways that your watermelon is ready to be picked, the timing of harvest depends on the variety of melon you're growing, says Kate Garland, horticultural professional at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Generally, harvest time ranges from 80 to 120 days based on the type of watermelon you're growing. Your seed packet will provide information on how many days it takes for a watermelon to ripen from the date of planting.

Signs Your Watermelon is Ready to be Harvested

Along with tracking the number of days, there are some obvious changes your watermelon will make when it's ready to be picked.

Look For a Yellow Belly

Look for a yellow ground spot (also known as a field spot) where the fruit is in contact with the ground, says Garland. This is a telltale sign your melon is mature. At first, the ground spot will start out white in appearance, and over time, as peak ripeness approaches, the ground spot will turn yellow.  

To monitor the ground spot, gently lift the melon off of the ground being careful not to disturb the vine too much as they are sensitive to movement. Then, turn the melon slightly until you locate the ground spot. Once observed, gently place the melon back down on the ground in its original position.

Test the Sound

Unripe melons make a sharp, high-pitched pinging or plinking sound when you thump on them. When a melon has reached full maturity and is ready for harvest, there will be a hollow thump when you knock or flick it, says Garland. To test the sound, use your knuckles to rap on the middle of the watermelon. Train your ear to hear the difference in ripeness by performing the thump test on unripe melons throughout the growing season.

Check the Tendril 

Tendrils are the coiled or curly part of the vine that provide support for the plant as it grows. When the melon is small and developing, the tendrils will be green and pliable. When ready for harvest, the tendrils will dry out, Garland says. When you see brown, dry tendrils, you know harvest time is here.

Look for a Brown Stem

The stem is the point where the melon connects to the main vine. "If the stem is green, it is too early to harvest," says Eric Nieusma, co-owner of Maine Hill Farm. "Your watermelon is officially ripe when the stem turns brown and is easy to pick from the vine," he says. Though it won't slip off like a cantaloupe, you won't have to pull it with great strength to get it off the vine.

How to Harvest a Watermelon

As mentioned above, a fully ripe watermelon should be easy to pick. You can gently pull it off the stem with your hands, or use sharp, clean gardening shears to cut the stem just above the watermelon.

 How to Store Watermelon After Harvesting

How and where you store watermelon depends on if it's whole or cut.

Whole Watermelon

Whole, uncut watermelon should be stored in a cool location. "Properly stored watermelons are best kept between 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, with the sweet spot at 55 degrees," says Nieusma. Whole watermelon will keep for approximately three weeks in optimal conditions.

Cut Watermelon

Store cut watermelons in an air-tight food container or plastic wrap in the refrigerator. "Once a melon is cut, it is best consumed within four days to be sure microbial issues don't occur," says Nieusma.

How to Store Watermelon Juice

Watermelon juice can be stored in the refrigerator or in the freezer to enjoy later on. "Juicing and then freezing watermelon is a great option for long-term storage or to make cool ice pops in the hot summer," says Nieusma. "You don't need a juicer either, you can hand press and drain off the juice with a strainer before freezing." In the refrigerator, watermelon juice can keep for about four days. In the freezer, it can last for over a year.