There’s one clear sign you should look out for.
The farm is located in Cordele, Georgia, which calls itself the watermelon capital of the world.
They know their watermelons.
Simply Recipes / Getty Images
This is where the watermelon sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
It should be heavy for its size because watermelons are 92% water, says Carter.
If youre not sure, pick up another watermelon thats the same size.
Simply Recipes / Getty Images
The one that feels heavier will likely be more ripe.
What About Thumping?
Some people suggest that you’re free to thump on the side of the melon to determine ripeness.
A ripe watermelon will have a dull hollow sound, says Carter.
An immature watermelon will have a higher-pitched ping sound.
Theres no science to prove it, but some people believe that webbing could be triggered by pollination.
The more webbing, the sweeter and riper the watermelon may be.
Next, scratch the watermelon’s surface lightly with your fingernail.
If the rind comes away easier and reveals a white-green area underneath, its ripe.
Finally, pick a melon that doesnt have cuts, dents, or visible bruises.
Some minor scratching is OK. Scratches usually come from handling as harvesting is very labor-intensive, says Carter.
