Allotments 4 All

They are ogen and the packet says "it bears mini-melon sized fruits". By my calculations they are mini melon sized (small football size) when are they ripe? ???

Usually you can smell if they are ripe or not

when they are really ripe, the stem begins to dry out and shrink away from the melon. But yes the smell usually tells you if it is ripe. And also a little tap should ring hollow - a heavy melon in relation to its size indicates ripeness too.

I was going to say.... As the actress said to the bishop! ::)


But then I saw two sensible replies ... so I would listen to these

At the blossom end.. ripe melons yeild under pressure the immature ones do not, they are  just right when the skin is fairly easy to depress, if there is very little resistance  it is not ready or if you pop the skin it is past it's best,some types have also  a true melon aroma, but not all.  The colour will be just beginning  to change.Some vareties of melon slip from the vine when ripe, but others don't so don't rely on this. I have never found any help with thumping, shaking etc.

They will ripen if picked too soon, but the flavour will never be the same as a vine ripened one.

Keep an eye on them, and watch for the signs as above, so you will notice the changes.

Hope this helps a bit.

XX Jeannine

I am sure Nittynora knew the answer to this one....*you squeeze em*!! Squeeze the bum end of the melon if it gives a little then its a good indication of ripeness :) along with the other suggestions!

Duke

 ;D ;D ;D