I have always dreamed of growing watermelons and now the dream has come true. A lonely, unlabeled watermelon plant was left after the Plant and Seed Exchange in April. I adopted it and moved it into the greenhouse to protect it until the weather warmed up. We had a cool spring this year and I was traveling in June, consequently it didn't get transplanted into the garden until the third week in June. I wasn't too hopeful, but had to give it a try.
The vines grew and set on four melons. They were so pretty and looked ready that I cut one on August 13. Unfortunately it was mostly white with just a little blush. I was apprehensive about picking another one and asked every gardener I knew 'How do you tell when a watermelon is ripe?' The gardeners I spoke to live outside of Weaver ville and at higher elevations, so they have never had a ripe watermelon in their gardens. After a little Internet research I decided that the melons met the definition of ripe (the spot on the bottom where they rest on the ground turns from white to yellow; the tendrils closest to the melon have browned; the vines are dieing back). I cut this beauty open on August 28 and - after the picture taking - promptly ate about a quarter of it all by myself (over the sink no less). Happy Gardening! Donna
