I Asked 3 Farmers How to Pick the Sweetest Watermelon, and They All Agreed on the Best Way (2024)

We’ve identified 15 heroic saves for mealy, overripe watermelon, but we firmly believe that the best Rx for bad watermelon is to avoid it in the first place.

By mastering how to pick the best melon and following our tips for storing watermelon so it stays fresh for up to five days, you’ll never be stuck with gritty, flavor-free watermelon again — as long as you polish it off or freeze it within that suggested “best-by” date of five days after cutting the watermelon. (In case you missed it, these 12 refreshing watermelon recipes will make it a breeze to finish all the fruit in plenty of time!)

To help us all be better at sorting through the array of melons piled up and available for purchase at the market, we called a few farmers in from the field to ask them their best tips for choosing a sweet and ripe watermelon from its underripe peers.

Before we dive into the top five things to look for as you choose the best watermelon, it’s important to note that timing matters. Shopping for produce out of season is almost always a more expensive—and less flavorful—proposition. Keep in mind that “the peak of the domestically-grown watermelon season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The watermelons are sweeter and juicier during this time,” says Dana Peters, a Barney, Georgia-based produce and floral field inspector at Whole Foods Market (who grew up on a small family farm).

Meet the Farmers

• Farmer Lee Jones, a regenerative farmer and the founder of The Chef Garden in Huron, Ohio
• Dana Peters, a Barney, Georgia-based produce and floral field inspector at Whole Foods Market
• Jerrold Watson, co-owner of Watsonia Farms in Monetta, South Carolina

The Best Way to Choose the Sweetest Watermelon

Our three farmers agree that the most revealing feature, and one of the surest ways to tell if a watermelon is ripe, is the "field spot," where the watermelon has been resting on the ground, Peters explains.

Lift the watermelon and look for a spot that's a different hue than the rest of the rind. If you don't see a visible field spot and the rest of the watermelon's exterior is about the same color, Peters adds, this is a sign that the flesh is probably immature. A white spot is also often a sign that the watermelon is underripe.

Jerrold Watson, co-owner of Watsonia Farms in Monetta, South Carolina, says the field spot of a ripe and ready watermelon should be creamy yellow to straw-like in color.

Other Signs of a High-Quality Watermelon

Beyond that, Peters, Watson, and Farmer Lee Jones, a regenerative farmer and founder of The Chef Garden in Huron, Ohio, recommend seeking fresh watermelon with the following attributes. The best watermelons:

• Feel heavy for their size (since watermelons are 92 percent water, a hefty watermelon means that it’s very likely to be juicy)
• Emit a deep, hollow sound when knocked on or tapped
• Are symmetrical in shape and free of bruises, cuts, and dents (light scratches are okay)
• Have a brown stem

What to Avoid When Selecting a Watermelon

Now that you know the top five traits to look for in fresh watermelon, let’s dig into what to avoid. Steer clear of watermelons that have the following characteristics:

• They are displayed or stored in direct sunlight or heat for days. Not only does exposure to heat over 75 degrees F (24 degrees C) shorten the quality lifespan of the fruit, but on very rare occasions, extremely high temperatures can also cause watermelons to explode.
• They look shiny rather than matte. Shininess may mean that the fruit is underripe, Jones says.
• They show any signs of visible “sunburn” on the exterior.
• They are not firm. A healthy and ripe (but not overripe) watermelon shouldn’t give when you gently press the rind or lift the fruit.
• They have a flat side. According to Peters, this is most often due to being packed too tight during shipping, storage, or selling, and it’s an indication that there might be internal bruising.

How to Enjoy Watermelon, Farmer Style

Once you have your sweet watermelon home, it’s time to savor the fruits of your shopping labor.

If you ask Peters and Watson, the best way to enjoy it is sliced or cubed, chilled overnight, and eaten in its unadulterated glory. As for Jones, he tells us, “I love a simple summer salad with fresh watermelon, feta, and basil.” (We think he’d adore this twist on a watermelon feta salad with all of the above, plus mint, cilantro, and red onion!)

For more fresh ways to enjoy watermelon, check out our many watermelon recipe ideas.