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July 2 - Watermelon Selection Tips:

Good-quality watermelon will be firm, evenly-shaped, heavy for its size and have a deep-pitched tone when slapped with an open palm. (Medium to large melons are generally easier to tell when ripe.) One of the easiest methods is to simply turn the melon over. If the underside is yellow, and the rind overall has a healthy sheen, the melon is most probably ripe.Watermelons do not ripen any further once they are cut from the vine.

Avoid product that is partially white or pale green, soft overall, has soft spots or is leaking a milky-white fluid. Melons shouldn't have any dents, bruises or cuts, but marks left from insect bites will not affect the melon's flavor. Avoid cut melons that show excessive white streaks through the flesh. When using the open palm technique for ripeness, avoid melons with a high-pitched tone or a dead, thudding sound.

OASIS has much more information on melons.

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