How to select the perfect watermelon

While trying to find the sweetest watermelon is always difficult, experts do have a few recommendations.

watermelon_AdobeStock_7425002.png

Adobe Stock

If you walk by the watermelons on a summer day, you’ll probably see people picking them up, thumping them, or tapping them to try to get the perfect fruit.

While trying to find the sweetest watermelon is always difficult, experts do have a few recommendations.

The easiest way to identify a possible ripe watermelon is by its shape and weight. You want the fruit to be heavy, symmetrical, and smooth.

When examining a watermelon, check the spot where it has been resting. A yellow-white spot means ripeness, and white or pale suggests it could be immature. You can also test the ripeness by scratching the surface. If the outer layer peels with little resistance, showing a green-white rind, the fruit is ripe.

Many have also read about using hollowness to test the ripeness. Some experts believe a hollow sound indicates ripeness, while others say it is unnecessary.

On the inside, more red flesh and dark seeds are good indicators of ripe watermelon, as white seeds indicate the fruit is immature.

Additionally, if a watermelon is not as mature as it should be, not all hope is lost. A watermelon can ripen more quickly at room temperature in a few days.

You can find more watermelon resources here.

Related Stories
Their operation has grown into a featured stop on the state’s farm trail.
The trip is giving them a firsthand look at farming beyond the U.S.
The non-profit organization is helping feed communities while creating pathways for at-risk youth.
Expanded export financing could provide greater support for ag sales abroad if buyers and lenders use the additional tools.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Tractor Supply’s Paper Clover Campaign raises millions of dollars each year for 4-H youth programs and scholarships. Local store community marketing manager Lexie Gamble joined Tuesday’s Market Day Report alongside 4-H student Matthew Rochford to discuss the partnership.
The cast of “Farmer Wants a Wife” joined us to share their stories and preview Season 4 of the series, which premieres April 21 on FOX.
Lane Howard and Adam Andrews with the National Corn Growers Association joined us in the studio discuss EPA’s approval of summer E15 sales, ongoing fuel market concerns, and the industry’s push for a long-term biofuels solution for farmers.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation discusses how stewardship is driving efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness in the dairy industry.
Farm Bureau officials say the findings underscore mounting pressure on producers heading into the 2026 growing season, with input costs continuing to outpace farm income.
Corey Rosenbusch with The Fertilizer Institute joined us to discuss supply chain disruptions and what farmers should watch as global tensions impact fertilizer markets.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the availability of over $275 million in grant funding in FY2026 for the specialty crop industry in the United States through three USDA programs.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Opry Live is the premier weekly broadcast and livestream of the Grand Ole Opry, featuring country music superstars, legends, and rising talent performing on stage in Nashville.
Join popular polka performer Mollie Busta as she hosts the weekly “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD Network! The one-hour program features the nation’s top polka bands and a wide variety of ethnic styles, recorded on location at music festivals across the country.
Brought to you by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms, join dynamic bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent as they welcome scores of fabulous bluegrass, country, and gospel music acts as special guests. Loads of laughs, your favorite guests galore, and lots of good times are guaranteed. Don’t miss all the fun!
Enjoy traditional country music from modern-day troubadours The Malpass Brothers. Each episode stars the brother duo of Chris & Taylor Malpass along with a featured celebrity guest– and loads of clever humor.
Twisted Skillet brings a straightforward, hands-on approach to kitchen television, rooted in food and fire. Hosted by Texas chef Sean Koehler, the series explores open-fire outdoor cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and the people who raise, prepare, and inspire the food found across America.