http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/cornucop/2002071935010165.html

To me, my first year of growing muskmelons, (cantaloupes).. easier than the watermelons... I can see and smell them .....LOL
I picked my first watermelon( for this place that is) and Im scared it might have been too early. Gotta get brave and cut it,,, LOL
My first time , time growing watermelon . two years ago were a volunteer plant. God gave me 5 of the best watermelons I ever had... organically grown.....LOL
Thanks all
PS i am editing this got brave and cut it for breakfast. Ate way too much,though It was pretty good. Hubby did a good job of picking the first one to "cut" and try.
He DID GOOD... yum yum sorry pic so dark Just wish I had measured and weighted it....
Jean

This post was edited by jeanwedding on Sat, Aug 31, 13 at 13:45

I would like to be able to know when my melons are ripe

What kind of melons are you talking about?

Dave

That one is just right.
Best indication is the color and the seeds that are matured.
In an unripe WM, there would be some soft seeds that knife will cut through them.
You can keep a WM like this in a cool basement, inside some straw, for a long time.

I have Melon Petit Gris de Renues ( A Sugar-Sweet French Favorite ). Dave

I got it from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds out of Mansfield Missouri.

Started it from the seed.

So we are talking about cantaloupe rather than winter melons, muskmelons, bitter melons, watermelons, etc.

BIg difference. :)

This particular variety is a grey and has no netting.

From it's detailed description:

Neither early, high-yielding nor easy to tell when ripe, this true cantaloupe without netting ripens very slowly, a golden-tan color spreading from the blossom and becoming pebbly. Cut from the vine when the blossom end is soft and the color has changed halfway up the fruit, then allow to sit until you can no longer resist its alluring perfume. Some will split and must be consumed immediately and some will be duds. Overripe, though sometimes still good.

Dave

I can tell mine are ripe because about two days before they are ready to pick the raccoons come in at night and raid them.