Radio Transcript
August 17th, 2026
Tanner Collier

Hello, this is Tanner Collier, the Horticulture Agent with Burke County Cooperative Extension. I’m going to share some tips with you today about “Harvesting Ripe Watermelons.”

As we are in the heat of summer, you may be looking to harvest a delicious, juicy watermelon to enjoy. This can be a tricky task if you don’t know the signs of when a watermelon is ripe. But don’t worry. Look for these signs when you are about to pick your next snack.

Look at the field spot of the watermelon first. This is the part that has been laying on the ground. A ripe watermelon will have a large field spot with a creamy yellow color. The bigger the spot and the creamier the color, the riper the melon. Also, look at the tendril on the vine closest to the watermelon. If the tendril is brown, this is a good indicator that the melon is ripe.

Ripe watermelons should have a dull-colored rind compared to other watermelons. Underripe melons will be shiny and glisten in the sun. Ripe watermelons will also be heavier than under ripe melons. The heavier the melon, the juicier it will be.

Lastly, listen to the sound the melon makes when you thump it. This can help indicate how ripe it is. A ripe watermelon should make a deep, thudding sound. If you hear more of a hollow sound, this may mean that the watermelon is overripe.

This has been Tanner Collier with Burke County Cooperative Extension. If you have any questions or want more information, you can contact us at (828) 764-9480.