How do I know when to pick my icebox watermelon?
- Pick it up: Big or small, the watermelon should feel heavy for its size.
- Look for the yellow spot: Watermelons develop a splotch where they rest on the ground. When this splotch is creamy yellow, it's ripe.
- Give it a thump: Tap the underbelly of the watermelon.
How do you know when an icebox watermelon is ripe?
An icebox watermelon is ready to be picked when that resting spot's color turns from greenish white to yellow or cream and after the rest of the rind becomes dull green. Replace the fruit on the ground in the same position it was previously if the fruit isn't ready to be picked. Repeat the procedure for each fruit.
How do you know when watermelon is ready to pick?
The watermelon's belly, where it touches the ground will turn from light green to cream or yellow. Watermelons ripen in the last two weeks of growth and will not continue to sweeten after picking, so watch carefully for the color change signs to determine the right time to pick.
When are icebox watermelons ready to harvest?
As a general rule, most Icebox Watermelon plants will mature 65 to 75 days after you plant them. As you walk through your garden and inspect each one, there are a few telltale signs that will reveal when it’s time to harvest. These include:
How much water does an icebox watermelon need?
1 to 2 inches of water per week or drip irrigation system keeping the soil moist. 12 feet long vine (3 meters). Neutral pH. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic, between 6.0 to 7.0. Fairly easy, low maintenance plant. Icebox watermelons are trailings plants where their vine can reach up to 12 feet long.
How can you tell when an icebox watermelon is ready to pick?
You'll see some visual signs of ripeness as well, according to Clemson University. The melon's skin will lose its glossiness, you may see a pale spot developing on the fruit's underside, and the tendril closest to the melon will turn brown.
How big do icebox watermelons get when ripe?
Icebox watermelons, including 'Sugar Baby', earn their name from their small fruit, which weighs in at 6 to 15 pounds and measures 6 to 10 inches across. Where full-size watermelons need a cool basement, spring house or walk-in cooler for storage, icebox watermelons fit easily into a standard fridge or picnic hamper.
How do you know when a watermelon needs to be picked?
Answer: Harvest watermelons when the underside or belly of the fruit turns from a greenish white to buttery yellow or cream. This color change is especially pronounced on the dark green skinned varieties. In addition, the fruit tends to lose its slick appearance on top and becomes dull when ripe.
How do you know if a supermarket watermelon is ripe?
Look for the yellow spot: Watermelons develop a splotch where they rest on the ground. When this splotch is creamy yellow, it's ripe. Give it a thump: Tap the underbelly of the watermelon. A ripe one will have a deep hollow sound, which means it is brimming with juice and at the peak of its ripeness.
How big should icebox watermelon be?
The icebox watermelons only weigh five to 10 pounds at the point of harvest, contrary to the usual large-size watermelon that weigh between 10 to 45 pounds on average....Icebox Watermelon Plant.Scientific NameCitrullus LanatusSize12 feet long vine (3 meters).Soil TypeFertile, well-draining, nutrients-rich8 more rows•Nov 5, 2021
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
2-4 fruitsHow Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
What does an under ripe watermelon look like?
Watermelons have an underside, or belly—which is in contact with the ground throughout its growth—called a "field spot." This spot on a ripe watermelon will be yellowish (sometimes referred to as "buttery") and not white, which indicates an unripe melon.
Will a watermelon ripen off the vine?
Picking the Perfect Watermelon Unlike some fruits, watermelons do not ripen further once they are off the vine. Choose carefully, and store watermelons the right way to keep them flavorful.
How long does it take watermelons to ripen?
It typically takes about five calendar weeks for a watermelon to go from flower to ripe fruit.
Can you leave a watermelon on the vine too long?
Like any fruit, it will last well if you leave it on the vine, but that doesn't mean you should leave it forever. The plant will cut off water and nutrient supply to the fruit after it's ripe, and the fruit will start to lose its flavor and sweetness, and it will eventually start to decay in the heat.
What does a ripe watermelon look like on the outside?
If the watermelon is ripe, the field spot should be a large, yellow patch on one side of the melon. If it is ripe, the color should be a creamy, almost butter-like yellow. The bigger the yellow belly and the creamier the color means the more time the melon spent ripening on the vine.
When should you avoid eating watermelon?
It is recommended to not consume watermelons at night right before going to bed. "I would not recommend consumption of watermelon or any fruit after 7 pm. Watermelon is slightly acidic and if consumed at night, it may delay the process of digestion when the body is inactive.
What Are Icebox Watermelons?
If you live in a short-season, cold-winter gardening climate, you might be excused for assuming that "icebox" watermelons are bred for cool-climate gardeners. In fact, that's not exactly the case.
Ripeness in Icebox Watermelon Plants
It's not as easy to recognize ripeness in a melon as it is with, say, a berry or a tomato. With those, the color change and softening that come with ripeness are difficult to miss. Melons are less obliging, because of their thick rinds, so you'll need to draw on both expectations and observations to know when they're ready to eat.
Growing Icebox Watermelons
Even compact watermelons need a lot of space; block out a spot at least 3 or 4 feet by 4 feet for each compact, bush-type vine you want to grow. Full-sized vines require even more, about 24 square feet for each vine. Vines should be at least 6 to 8 feet apart, or 4 feet for bush-type vines.
Step 1
Watch for the icebox watermelon rind to change from a bright green color to a dull green color.
Step 2
Look at the stem where the icebox watermelon is attached to the vine. The curly tendrils that grow from the stem turn brown and become dry when the melon ripens, according to University of Illinois.
Step 3
Lift up the watermelon. The area where it sits on the ground will be a creamy yellow color when the melon is ripe.
What Is an Icebox Watermelon?
What if you could take everything you know and love about watermelon and simply condense it?
Planting an Icebox Watermelon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Maybe you’ve planted a sprawling backyard garden with plenty of space for an abundance of crops. Or, you may be working with a small container garden on your back patio or balcony. Either way, you can grow Icebox Watermelons at home as long as you know what these plants need.
Icebox Watermelon Growing Guide: What Does This Plant Need?
There’s nothing like slicing into a ripe watermelon that you grew all by yourself! To help yours reach full maturity and deliver on expectations, you’ll need to know what this plant prefers. Let’s take a look at the growing conditions that an Icebox Watermelon needs to thrive.
Harvesting Your Icebox Watermelon
It’s one of the most exciting parts of growing a summer garden: Finally realizing that your fruits and veggies have reached full maturity and it’s time to pick and enjoy them!
Icebox Watermelon: Common Pests and Diseases
It can be disheartening to do everything right and spend growing time your Icebox Watermelon, only to find that it’s fallen victim to a pest or a certain type of disease.
Where to Find Icebox Watermelon Seeds
Now that we’ve whetted your appetite, are you ready to grow your own Icebox Watermelons? If so, it’s easy to find online retailers who can keep you stocked with all the seeds you need! Here are a few of the top ones to check out:
Grow Your Own Icebox Watermelon at Home
From picnics and barbecues to family dinners and after-school snacks, few fruits are as versatile and crowd-pleasing as watermelon. If you want a variety that’s manageable, easy to grow, and a cinch to store, then Icebox Watermelon is ideal.
When To Pick Watermelon
So back to the question, when to pick watermelon? Watermelon is one of the few fruits that does not ripen after it’s harvested so it’s really important to harvest it at the peak of ripeness and not before. Watermelon is ready for harvest in 60-90 days depending on the variety. There are a couple of ways to see if your watermelon is ready to pick:
Harvesting Watermelon
Harvest the watermelon by cutting the stem connecting the watermelon to the plant with a sharp knife. Refrigerate before eating to bring out the best flavor.
Storing Watermelon
Watermelon likes it warm! It’s best to store your watermelon at room temperature to preserve the flavor. Watermelon stored at room temperature is also filled with more nutrients. The usual shelf life of a watermelon is 12-14 at 55F after harvest (at refrigerated temperatures such as 41F the watermelon begin to decay after a week).
Appearance and Characteristics
Icebox watermelons are trailings plants where their vine can reach up to 12 feet long.
Advantages of Growing Icebox Watermelons
Icebox watermelons are not only clearly much easier to store in your fridge but easier to grow and take care of too.
Growing Guide
Icebox watermelons are fairly easy to grow; whether you have an extensive selection of crops in your garden or a small patch, these plants are suitable for most gardeners.
Common Pests, Diseases, and Problems
Watermelons have a few enemies that attack the vine, leaves, and fruit.
Days to Maturity
'Sugar Baby' watermelon requires 60 to 90 warm days to produce ripe 10-pound melons. In frost-free climates, you can sow them outdoors in late February and March after the danger of frost has passed and the soil warms to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more. In cooler climates, wait until the weather warms in late spring before planting.
Color
Knowing when a watermelon is ripe is something gardeners learn by experience, but the changing color is one of the most reliable indicators of maturity, according to the University of California, Davis, Agriculture and Natural Resources.The rind will change color from bright to dull green and become hard, resisting easy penetration.
Sound
Some gardeners also gauge a watermelon's readiness for harvest by thumping it with a knuckle. Proponents of this method listen for a low-pitched hollow thud sound with a little give. But Dr.
Tendrils
The condition of the tendrils near the fruit stem is another indicator of when a watermelon is ready to pick. When they are green at the attachment point, the fruit is not yet ripe, but when they start to turn brown and dry, it is harvest time.
