When do watermelons ripen and what does it depend on?
Watermelon is considered one of the most beloved treats for both children and adults. Can you imagine summer without this juicy and delicious berry?
Please note that watermelons appear on sale very early (we are not talking about overseas delicacies here, but about domestic varieties of melon crops). To avoid buying a fruit laced with various chemicals, you need to know the watermelon's ripening period. However, different varieties have different ripening times. Let's look at the factors that influence the ripening speed of nature's largest berry:
- A variety of melon crop. Early maturing varieties ripen in 60 days, while late varieties take longer to mature—around 90–100 days;
- climate zone;
- weather conditions typical for the area where melons are grown;
- soil characteristics;
- gardening.
The first watermelons to appear on market shelves are those native to Uzbekistan. This sunny country is considered ideal for growing the large, striped berries.
Russia is a vast country spanning several climate zones. Consequently, not every location is suitable for growing melons. Watermelons and melons thrive in the sun and warmth, so they grow well and ripen best in the southern regions of the country. The most delicious, juicy, and flavorful melons grow in the Astrakhan Region. This region has all the necessary conditions for growing melons.
When do watermelons ripen in Russia? This question interests many lovers of these huge striped berries. The first Astrakhan watermelons ripen in early summer, but they are grown from foreign seeds. Domestic varieties produce a bountiful harvest by the end of summer. August and even the first ten days of September are the best time to buy ripe fruit. It's up to you to decide which month to buy this delicacy for your whole family.
It is important not only to know when you can enjoy a ripe watermelon, but also to know how to choose it correctly.
We'll share some tips on how to choose a fully ripe watermelon. The condition of the stem will tell you how ripe the berry is. A ripe fruit will have a brownish, dry stem. If a yellowish, web-like mark appears on the rind, you've got a ripe fruit with juicy flesh.
Now take the watermelon and gently squeeze it in the middle – you should hear a soft crackling sound. Another way to check how ripe the fruit is is to tap the rind and listen – a ripe berry will give a dull sound.
Video: How to Tell if a Watermelon is Ripe
This video will show you how to tell if a fruit in your garden is ripe.