How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon in a garden

Probably, it is difficult to find a person who would not like watermelon. After all, it is this berry that helps us remove thirst on a hot summer day and cope with the removal of toxic elements from our body. Many summer residents are interested in how you can determine the ripeness of a watermelon in a garden bed. If you pick it too early, then it will not taste at all.

In addition to water, watermelon contains various useful trace elements, vitamins, calcium, magnesium. The composition of watermelon contains folic acid, which helps in strengthening the immune system, tocopherol helps to protect cells from aging. Riboflavin takes part in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy.

How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon in the garden: characteristic signs

It is possible to determine the ripeness of a watermelon in a garden by the presence of certain signs. Some varieties of watermelon can be up to 20 kg. But if you notice that growth has stopped, then you can harvest the fruits after 20 days. Here are some signs you need to pay special attention to:

• The appearance of the crust.
• Coloring the spot on the side.
• The presence of a characteristic sound.

When the fruit is ripe, its surface becomes dull and begins to shine. The stripes become clearer. You should not cut a cube to check maturity; after a few days, the watermelon will begin to rot. If the weather conditions are too hot and the tail begins to dry out, this means that the watermelon does not have enough moisture.

It is for this reason that the appearance of the watermelon may not be related to the ripeness of the berry. As for the sizes, they may depend on the variety. In fact, only those summer residents who have long been engaged in the cultivation of this berry can determine whether a watermelon is ripe or not.

How to find out the ripeness of a watermelon in a garden by the crust

To determine the ripeness of a watermelon, first of all, you need to pay attention to the appearance of its rind. If the berry lacks moisture, then the peel begins to acquire a hard structure.

If the watermelon is ripe, then there should be no dents or cracks on the peel, there is no matte purine bloom on the peel. The top layer of the watermelon can be easily removed with a regular nail. Stripes of bright black color should be clearly visible against a light background.

When the berry ripens, the process of chlorophyll synthesis ends, which is responsible for the green color of the watermelon peel. If the watermelon is grown in warm conditions and in the sun, it begins to acquire a contrasting color during ripening. Shine begins to appear, the spot on the side becomes yellow or orange. If the watermelon is ripe, then it has a slightly elongated shape.

Dry stalk

Before you start cutting the watermelon, pay attention to its tail. If it is completely dry, then, unfortunately, this will mean that the berry is either overripe or completely rotted. If the stalk is green, then such a watermelon should not be eaten. For such a fruit to ripen, it will take about 2 weeks to grow in the garden.

How to check the ripeness of a watermelon in a row by sound

If the watermelon is unripe, this will not only affect its taste, but such a berry also contains toxic substances that can lead to poisoning. Many people draw a parallel between watermelon and tomatoes and melon, and say that it is better to pick the watermelon a little earlier so that it ripens at home.

But this theory has not been scientifically confirmed. To check whether a watermelon is ripe or not, you can take note of another way. The fruits can be eaten, if, with slight squeezing, it emits a small crack, if you knock, it will not be a dull sound, but a sonorous sound.

The size and color of the earthen spot

When growing a watermelon in a garden, it is natural that it cannot roll over itself, it lies on one side all the time. It is in this place that you can notice the presence of a characteristic spot. If the berry is ripe, then this spot is yellow or orange. If the spot is large enough, more than 10 cm, the color is uneven or pale, then it is still too early to collect such fruits. When the watermelon is ripe, small spots appear on the peel, which are much lighter in color than the peel itself.

Determine the ripeness of a watermelon by weight

Breeders were able to breed a large number of varieties of watermelons, which may differ in size, weight, ripening time. The first to see the appearance of the scoric in stores. The fruits have absolutely no stripes, the rind has a dark green tint. The weight of a ripe watermelon is not more than 7 kg.

Rapid ripening is of the Photon variety. Their skin is light in color, there are stripes. The Crimson Gloria variety is distinguished by good transportability, thick crust, large size. The weight of one fruit can be up to 17 kg.

If you pay attention to the Kherson watermelons, they have a slightly smaller size and weight. The variety is distinguished by light stripes, thin skin, elongated shape.

The hybrid variety Chill is characterized by ripening at the end of August, it may not deteriorate for a long time, while it does not lose its characteristics. Astrakhan watermelons are characterized by a smooth surface, the presence of dark stripes, a bright green peel. The weight of the fruit of this variety can be up to 10 kg, it tolerates transportation well. The appearance of the variety occurs at the end of last year by breeders from Russia.

What should wash the pulp by color and structure

Probably, many people know that you can not eat watermelons, which have a high concentration of nitrates. Of course, if you grow watermelons on your own, without adding any chemicals for rapid growth, then such a watermelon can be used for food without any fear.

When you come to the market, remember the following rules. If the watermelon contains a large amount of nitrates, then this will be indicated:

• The color of the pulp is uneven.
• There are cracks and yellowish fibers in the cut.
• The bones are not the same color.

For the experiment, you can take a small piece of watermelon and put it in a glass of water, if the water becomes cloudy, then you can safely eat such a watermelon. But if the water has acquired a red tint, then the use of such a berry should be discarded.

You don't even need to taste the watermelon, just take a close look at the pulp. If it has a pink color, a porous structure, then the berry is already ripe and contains a large amount of sugar. If the insides of the fruit are very red, this may indicate that the fruit is already overripe or contains a large amount of nitrates. Such a watermelon should not be consumed by adults, let alone children.

So there is no need to determine the ripeness of a watermelon.

A large number of methods for determining ripeness cannot say with a 100% guarantee that a watermelon can already be plucked from the garden. Much depends on the weather conditions in which the watermelon was grown. If there was a lot of rain, the weather was cool, then watermelons can be harvested later than usual, and it is not a fact that they have a sufficient sugar content.

Also, a lot depends on the soil in which the watermelon is grown. You should not be guided only by a dry tail. He can also talk about the lack of moisture in very hot weather. To accurately determine ripeness by squeezing and tapping, you must have a good ear.

As for the dimensional characteristics, then everything is also individual here, depending on the variety. If the summer resident has been growing watermelons for a long time, then he can easily determine the ripeness of the fruit.

There are also those summer residents who say that the so-called girl watermelons are considered the best in taste - they have a dense large spot.Although boys' watermelons also boast good taste.