How to determine the ripening of watermelon in the garden. Useful properties of watermelon, how to determine ripeness

"How to choose a watermelon?" - a question arises in the minds of thousands of people as soon as the green-striped beauties begin to appear on the shelves of shops and markets. The task is not easy, but solvable.

It is enough just to remember a few proven ways to identify a ripe and sweet watermelon.

There are a number of characteristics that will help you choose a truly ripe and sweet specimen from a pile of alluring striped fruits. Here is the cherished list:

• size;
• a spot on the side;
• safety;
• tapping sound;
• color and structure of the pulp;
• season;
• the appearance of the crust;
• "half" of watermelon.

In addition, there are quite popular "signs" of watermelon ripeness among the people, which do not really work and will not help you in such a task as choosing a ripe watermelon. The most common of these is the myth that ripe watermelon tail must be dry.

Many try to choose a fruit that is not too large. Someone fears that it will be too heavy and difficult to carry, and some are afraid that the watermelon has become large only because of the abundance of nitrates in it.

But after all, varieties of watermelons are different, and in some varieties, the size of the fruit can reach 20 kilograms. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to give preference to a medium-sized watermelon. The rule of the golden mean works in this case too.

Ripe watermelon do not hide "cheeks"

For reference: the “cheek” is a small light spot on the side of a watermelon, which forms in the place where the watermelon lay when ripe. The spot is not a sign of illness or immaturity, just that the sun has not touched this area of ​​​​the crust.

So in how to choose good watermelon, a look at the light spot on the crust will help. Everything is simple here: the more yellow it has, the better.

But buying a watermelon with a white circle on its side, you run the risk of running into a tasteless product.

The size of the spot also requires attention. Be aware that a large spot indicates that the watermelon has been ripening for a long time in not too warm conditions. Because of this, the fetus loses palatability and becomes less juicy.

When buying a watermelon in the market or from the back of a car on the side of the road, pay special attention to this characteristic.

Watermelon should never have the following flaws:

• cracks;
• dents;
• incisions;
• rotted areas (even very small ones!).

The fact is that the juicy and nutritious pulp of a watermelon is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which, together with air and roadside dust, can get inside in abundance.

Eating watermelon with such a surprise can lead to poisoning and gastrointestinal upset. The same applies to cut watermelons, so do not try to save money by buying not a whole watermelon, but only a half. Such frugality can cost you dearly.

The most commonly used method for testing watermelon for ripeness is tapping. Yes, here's the problem: everyone knocks, but few people remember what the sound of a ripe fruit should be. So remember: a ripe and juicy watermelon makes a sonorous, booming sound, and an unripe one makes a deaf sound.

An overripe watermelon also sounds dull, in which there is already too much moisture and it has begun to sour. It is also better to refuse such a purchase. Thus, a voiced sound is good, a deaf sound is bad.

To be sure, you can also squeeze the copy you like with your hands. A slight crackle indicates readiness for use. The main thing is not to overdo it.

The color and structure of the pulp

And this is already a characteristic that will help you determine the ripeness of the fruit after cutting it. If the purchase is made in a supermarket, you can see watermelon halves on the counter.

They wrap themselves in cling film, which almost eliminates the ingress of bacteria into the pulp, and gives you the opportunity to study the product in detail. So how to choose delicious watermelon By appearance pulp?

Two main positions can be distinguished: color and structure. The color of the pulp should be pinkish.

The scarlet color indicates the presence of nitrates or that the watermelon is overripe. Both are not in his favor. The structure should be porous, granular. Such watermelons are sometimes referred to as "sugar".

sale season

As a rule, watermelons start selling almost from the beginning of summer. However, if you want to get enough of a real southern fruit, and not a product of chemicals, you will have to wait until about mid-August.

Of course, there are also early varieties, but it still takes time to transport them. You may be lucky and the July watermelon will indeed turn out to be sweet, but it is not known how useful it will be.

Ripe watermelon is easy to distinguish among fellows, paying attention to the appearance of the peel.

Here A few key features of a delicious watermelon:

• the stripes forming the pattern must be clear;
• the peel is glossy;
• the crust is hard, it is impossible to damage it without effort;
• when the colored layer of the peel is damaged, a recognizable smell of fresh grass appears.

Signs indicating immaturity or disease of the fetus:

• the pattern is broken or uncharacteristic, the stripes are blurry;
• dullness of the peel;
• the crust can be easily damaged even with a fingernail.

Choose watermelon with more space between the stripes, as they are considered to be sweeter.

"Sex" of watermelon

It is believed that girl watermelons are sweeter than boy watermelons, although the division itself is arbitrary. How to choose a watermelon girl? It is enough to look at the speck left in the place where the flower once was.

If the spot is flat and rather large, then it is a girl. In male watermelons, the spot is convex and smaller in size.

This division has nothing to do with biology and exists only to simplify the selection process. Indeed, watermelons-girls in practice turn out to be more juicy and sweet. There is an assumption that this is due to the characteristics of pollination.

Is a dry tail a sign of ripeness?

It is believed that when a watermelon, ripening, can no longer take in nutrients and moisture, and under its own weight separates from the bush. In general, the theory is correct, but it is broken by the fact that, in practice, watermelon can be separated from the food path before cutting.

And the tail dries out in 3 days, so a green watermelon with a dry tail may well lie on the counter.

If you still do not want to give up this method, pay attention to the tip of the tail. Even with a dried stalk, you can determine whether it was cut or broken off naturally.

All characteristics listed above are general.

It does not hurt to highlight several varieties of watermelons that fall on the tables more often than others, and emphasize their features.

1. Watermelons Kherson. Kherson sugar watermelons never grow too large, their weight does not exceed 10 kg. If you are shown a twenty-kilogram giant and they say that he is from Kherson, do not believe it. It is either of a different variety, or grew on some nitrates. The appearance of watermelons of this variety is classic: bright light stripes, an oblong shape, soft pinkish flesh and a rather thin peel.
2. Crimean Crimson Gloria. Watermelons of this variety can be really big. The weight of one copy on average can vary from 10 to 17 kg. In addition, watermelons of this variety are able to withstand long-term transportation. They are also grown in the south of Russia. In appearance, they resemble Kherson ones, but they are distinguished by a thick skin and a large weight.
3. hybrid chill. The peculiarity of watermelons of this variety is that they can be stored for a very long time, until the New Year. It is only necessary to provide the fetus with comfortable storage conditions. To do this, place it in a dry, dark place. However, representatives of this variety appear on the market only in early September, as they ripen late.
4. Skorik. Watermelons of this variety are early and appear on the shelves among the first. You can distinguish them by the dark green uniform color of the skin and low weight - no more than 7 kg.
5. Photon. It also applies to early varieties and differs from Skorik only in that it has a light skin with pronounced stripes.

Market or shop?

Wherever you buy this juicy berry, this place must meet certain requirements. Both for the market and for the supermarket they have their own.

Watermelon on the market

To begin with, it should be noted that the market does not mean a spontaneous accumulation of tents near your entrance, but a territory specially designated for this purpose. And the tents by the road are not even considered, since buying a watermelon in them, you can get severe poisoning instead of enjoying the taste.

So, The following requirements must be met by the owner of a trading place engaged in the sale of watermelons:

• the presence of a canopy that protects watermelons from direct sunlight;
• distance from the roadway;
• the storage tray is located at a height of at least 20 cm from the ground;
• availability of a certificate of the Epidemiological Surveillance Service for each batch of goods.

Watermelon in the store

When buying a watermelon in a store check the following points:

• watermelons are not stored outdoors, under the sun or near the roadway;
• storage pallets are located at a height of at least 20 cm from the floor and do not have any damage;
• Availability required documents on the purchase of goods from trusted suppliers.

Now you know what the perfect watermelon looks like, and you can safely go in search of it. And where to buy and which variety to choose - it's up to you.

Mother of two children. I have been running a household for more than 7 years - this is my main job. I like to experiment, I constantly try various means, methods, techniques that can make our life easier, more modern, richer. I love my family.

Exhausting from the summer heat, you really want to quench your thirst with something fresh and tasty. As well as possible, watermelon is suitable for these purposes. large berry beckons with crumbly pulp full of vitamins.

Alas, in recent years there has been a tendency to reduce the quality of this product. And an unpleasant surprise may be unripe pulp. How not to bring home a "pig in a poke"? In this article, we will look at all the tricks that answer the most important question for the buyer - how to choose a watermelon. Tips will help you buy the safest, most ripe berry, which will certainly cheer you up, while bringing a lot of benefits.

Benefit and harm

Before you make a purchase, get acquainted with the fetus. The most delicious and ripe pumpkins contain the following substances:

• vitamins;
• organic acids;
• trace elements;
• cellulose;
• pectin;
• lycopene;
• easily digestible carbohydrates.

Low calorie content - 27 kcal per 100 grams of product - allows you to use the fruit in therapeutic diets. The tidbits are used in vegetarian cuisine. Useful material help get the job done gastrointestinal tract, replenish the water-salt balance, strengthen the immune system, remove toxins, toxins, cholesterol from the body.

Sweet pulp can be consumed even by diabetics.

risk factor

Unfortunately, manufacturers often use hazardous chemicals for cultivation, and traders do not follow the rules for transporting, storing, and selling goods. In pursuit of money, they do not think about the end consumer. In order not to fall into the trap, you should know how to choose the right watermelon.

seasonality

Looking at the vegetable shelves in the supermarket, it is so easy to be tempted to buy summer fruits in the uncharacteristic season for them. The first thing to remember before choosing a watermelon is the seasonality of a heat-loving crop.

Meanwhile, melon ripens in mid-August. By making a purchase before this time, you risk not only acquiring unripe fruits, but also getting serious poisoning. Producers are trying to harvest early, hitting the jackpot on the first wave of sales. For these purposes, the berry is plentifully pumped, treated with chemicals to long-term storage goods. The sooner you give in to the temptation, the higher the risk of chemical poisoning.

Mass ripening of melons begins in mid-August and continues until the end of September. This time period is the best time to buy sweet watermelon without unnecessary chemicals.

Market vs Supermarket - Trading Rules

Choosing a watermelon is not an easy task. Where is it better to buy sweet melons - in the market or in the supermarket? The answer to this question lies in the seller's compliance with the rules of trade.

You should buy berries in places specially designated for sale - in the market or in a closed pavilion. Most supermarkets carefully monitor compliance with trade rules, requiring relevant documents from suppliers.

You can purchase goods on the market if the following trading rules are met:

1. the presence of a canopy from the sun and rain;
2. distance from the roadway;
3. availability of documents for each consignment of goods;
4. the presence of a pallet with a height of 15-20 cm.

Trade in melons from the ground is a violation of the law.

Where you can not buy melon

Making a purchase in a spontaneous market or from a car by the road is not best idea. The fruit easily absorbs harmful substances from environment. The slightest microcrack in the peel and the pulp will become a nutrient substrate for the reproduction of microbes. A watermelon that has been lying on a counter by the side of the road will easily absorb heavy metals from exhaust gases.

Which fruit is better to refuse completely

Supermarkets are also fraught with danger. Often, cut fruits are sold in a closed trading area; in the market, you are unlikely to succumb to the temptation to try a piece of juicy pulp. And the ostentatious cleanliness of the store can lure the buyer into a trap. The risk of acquiring an unripe watermelon is reduced, but there is an opportunity to catch an intestinal infection.

Never buy a cut fruit.

It is not known why the berry was cut. She may have started to deteriorate. If dirty tools were used during the cutting process or the fetus was not washed, pathogenic bacteria probably got inside. To prevent the pulp from getting dirty, sellers pack it in cling film. Such material will only contribute to the rate of reproduction of microorganisms.

Submit your documents!

Before choosing a watermelon at a retail outlet, ask the seller about the availability of documents. By law, each product is subject to mandatory or voluntary certification. Merchants must have a certificate of conformity for each batch of melons.

This document contains the following information:

1. importer;
2. the country in which the culture was grown;
3. harvest date;
4. compliance with quality standards (content of harmful substances);
5. the period of sale of the goods.

The presence of a blue seal is a guarantee of the quality of the goods.

If the seller does not present the relevant document, it is better to refrain from buying.

Folk omens

Folk signs will help you choose a ripe watermelon. People have long learned to determine the degree of maturity of the fetus by characteristic features. An experienced buyer pays attention to the following parameters:

• the presence of damage;
• peel exterior;
• sounds made during tapping and compression;
• the size of the earth spot;
• the degree of drying of the "tail";
• the weight of the goods.

It is better to rely not on specific signs, but on their totality.

Crust Characteristics

Determining the ripeness of a watermelon by external signs includes a thorough examination of the shell. On the peel there should be no dents, cracks, visible signs of damage. Even tiny cracks will become "gates" for the bacterial flora. Microorganisms will cause fermentation, spoilage of the pulp.

If the cut fruit has a sour smell, stop eating it.

The appearance of the crust will help you choose the right ripe watermelon. It hardens after the whip dries up, because the water stops flowing through the "umbilical cord". If the peel is easily injured by nails or smells like cut grass, you have an unripe fruit in front of you.

peel exterior

When choosing a watermelon, pay attention to the color scheme of the peel. The shell of a mature berry is glossy. The exterior of the peel is of considerable importance - the brighter the contrast between the stripes and the background, the higher the chance of acquiring a ripe melon. Small light spots are welcome, evenly scattered on the surface of the crust.

The presence of an earth stain

In the process of maturation, the "minke whale" constantly lies on one side. The place of contact of culture with the soil is called an earthen spot.

It is colored yellow or light orange. Its diameter is 5-10 cm. This section of the bark must correspond to the parameters described above, that is, it must not have dents, cracks, or signs of damage. The absence of stripes indicates that melons did not move during maturation. A white earthen spot indicates the immaturity of the fetus.

How to check the degree of maturity by the state of the stalk?

A ripe watermelon must have a tail. Through it, the culture received nutrition throughout the entire growing season. After maturation, the lashes dry out. If the stalk is green, full formation has not yet occurred.

Dry tail is present for a long time harvested berries, so it is not worth relying entirely on this sign.

A yellowish and dry stalk indicates that you have a juicy, sweet watermelon in front of you.

Knock-knock who lives under the crust?

Perhaps the most popular way to choose a treat is to tap the shell. Experienced buyers competently listen to the "musicality" of the fetus. To choose a delicious watermelon by sound, just a couple of nuances will help you:

1. a ripe berry will respond to tapping with a ringing sound;
2. when the poles are compressed, a mature pumpkin makes a characteristic crack, bends a little.

Girls and boys

Determining the gender of melons is a favorite factor of choice among buyers. Watermelons are not divided into "boys" and "girls" - this berry is same-sex. But, according to a folk myth, in order to choose the most delicious specimen, you must adhere to the following rules:

"Boys" have a bulging ass with a tiny circle. They are more watery and contain less sugar. The bones of males are black, there are quite a lot of them. The "boy" is slightly elongated relative to the vertical axis.

The female sex is more compact, rounder, sweeter, has fewer bones. In addition to the shape, pay attention to the structure of the ass - in the watermelon "girl" it is flatter with a large circle.

Weight category

Some varieties amaze with a large mass - it sometimes reaches 18-20 kg! It is difficult to deny yourself the pleasure of eating to satiety, so among the "giants" try to choose individuals with less weight.

And it’s better not to get carried away and follow the rule of the “golden mean” - let an instance with a mass of 5-7 kg become your chosen one.

Safety first

Buyers have long heard about. Watermelons are fed with nitrogen to accelerate growth and ripening, so you need to choose the right specimens with a minimum of dangerous chemistry.

Unfortunately, it is possible to determine the presence of chemistry only in a cut berry. Try to refrain from eating the pulp if you find the following factors:

• the pulp contains a large percentage of yellow or white elastic fibers;
• lilac tones are a dangerous sign;
• the cut surface does not crumble with grains, the cut is smooth with a glossy sheen.

Sometimes a purchased watermelon has red flesh, and the berry itself is not sweet. This can be both a natural process and indicate the presence of chemistry. When ripe, sugars accumulate exclusively under the action of sunlight. Cloudy, damp, cold weather could affect the natural process of carbohydrate accumulation. For the same reason, voids are sometimes hidden under the crust.

Knowing how to choose the right watermelon, you can not worry about the quality and safety of the purchased product. Let the advice of experienced buyers help you make the right choice, enjoy the juicy pulp of a tasty and healthy berry.

Who doesn't love this delicious fruit like a watermelon. Already from the middle of summer, this sweet and very juicy fruit can be replaced on the shelves of the markets, but many summer residents say that it is impossible to eat an early fruit, since it has ripened artificially - it was pumped with special nitrates, thanks to which it became ripe ahead of time .

When to collect watermelons, in what month

Watermelons themselves begin to ripen only in the month of August. Depending on the variety, which has been planted since mid-August, you can enjoy a juicy and sweet fruit.

Which will also be the most beneficial for the body. It is also worth remembering that early varieties cannot be stored for a long time, they are intended to be eaten within a few days after harvest.

The collection of watermelon should be carried out in several stages, as it ripens. From one plant, you can harvest in three stages, this is if you plan to leave a watermelon in order to further collect seeds from it for planting next year. You need to collect watermelon with scissors or a knife, otherwise, if you do not use the tool, the fruit may begin to rot due to a violation of the cover tissue. Early varieties of watermelon should be stored for no more than 10 days.

How to determine whether a watermelon is ripe, is it time to collect it from the garden?

You can determine a fully ripened fruit by its appearance: its stalk begins to dry out, as well as the antennae and leaves of the fruit itself, this sign of maturity is suitable for all fruits of the pumpkin family. There is also another sign of maturity, the larger the fruit, the riper it is.

In addition, a ripe fruit can also be identified by the crust, it becomes evenly glossy and shiny, and a yellow spot appears in the place where it touches the ground. If you scratch the fruit a little, that it will immediately crack, this is another sign that the fruit is fully ripe. You can also focus on a dull sound if you knock on a watermelon, and if you press on it with your finger, you can hear a crack.

Collection of watermelon for storage should be carried out in dry sunny weather. Late varieties can be stored for two months, unless of course adhered to. right conditions: In a dark, cold room with a high level of humidity. But remember that you will regularly have to review the fruits to identify those that have already begun to deteriorate. The last harvest of watermelon is carried out before the first frost. In this case, the entire crop is harvested from the field, including the unripe one, all the unripe fruits of the hostess are salted.

Now you know when to harvest watermelons from the garden when growing in a greenhouse and on open field and you can grow a ripe and delicious watermelon.

Video: When to collect watermelons?

In the "watermelon season" many buyers go to the market for this delicious berry. It will be useful for all of them to know how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon. Knowing how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon, you can choose the most delicious, juicy and appetizing fruit for yourself without resorting to the help of sellers who are not always honest with their customers. Such a berry will allow not only to fully enjoy it bright taste, but also be sure that watermelon will not harm the health of adults and children. After all, unripe watermelons are not recommended. Especially those that appeared on the markets and in stores before August. In this case, you can be sure that they have been treated with various chemicals so that the flesh turns red as soon as possible. But this does not add sweetness and ripeness to the fruits. Therefore, it is better to immediately refuse to buy them in favor of the safest and most delicious watermelons.

If there is an opportunity to enjoy watermelon right from the garden, then you should not neglect this opportunity. Indeed, in this case, it will be possible to choose a truly ripe and tasty fruit. And, besides, it will be possible to know for sure that the berry has not previously been lying for weeks in a fruit shop. And tips on how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon in the garden will help everyone to make the right choice. The easiest way to do this is through the peel. If it is matte, then the fruit probably has not yet ripened. But the shiny surface suggests that it's time to enjoy the berry. In addition, experts who know how to check the ripeness of a watermelon recommend paying attention to traces of bird beaks on its peel. If they are, then the fruit is probably ripe, because the unripe simply will not interest the crows. The stalk of a watermelon can also help in this difficult issue. In ripe berries, it is always dry. This is a sure sign of the maturity of the fetus.

There are also excellent effective ways to check the ripeness of a watermelon in a store or market. Its peel can also help with this. Only this time you will need to study the stripes on it. Firstly, the stripes should have a clear, clearly visible edge that separates the colors, and, secondly, the stripes should be contrasting - dark and light. It is important that one of the sides of the fetus is light - bright yellow. This indicates that the watermelon really ripened in the sun and simply lay on one of the sides, and was not chipped with chemicals for accelerated maturation still unripe. Therefore, do not be shy to ask the seller to show the watermelon from all sides or twist it yourself. Only by carefully studying it, you can draw the right conclusions about the ripeness and maturity of the fruit. Moreover, traders in the market always treat such a careful selection of watermelons with understanding.

Explaining how to determine the maturity of a watermelon, experts also note that it is necessary to touch the berry. For example, you can carefully pat your palm on its surface with a straightened palm. If the fruit is ripe, then the sound from this pat will clearly reverberate in the pulp. Usually it turns out quite sonorous and clear. If the buyer has enough strength, then you can lift the watermelon and try to squeeze it on the sides. The ripened fruit will crackle. But do not worry, it will not be possible to burst the dense peel in this way, so the berry will remain intact.

Very often, watermelons are sold near major roads. Of course, buying any food in such conditions is not recommended, it is better to visit a store or market. This applies to a greater extent to watermelons. But, if there is no other way out, then you should at least check the fruits for the presence of a clear white bloom on them. If it is present, then the berry probably contains heavy metals, which are harmful and dangerous to human health to eat. In this case, the purchase should be abandoned. It is strictly forbidden to eat such watermelons for the smallest members of the family.

In addition to the dry tail, the place where it grows from also testifies to the ripeness of the watermelon. If it turned out to be convex, and its edges brightened and rough, then we can safely say that the fruit is ripe, juicy and sweet. Such a berry is worth buying. A great way to tell when a watermelon is ripe is to dip it in a container of water. Of course, it is far from always possible to do this even before the purchase. But if there is such an opportunity, then you just need to place the berry in a basin filled with water, and then look at its "behavior". A ripe fruit will definitely float up to about half the capacity. The thing is that it will be lighter than water. It is important to remember that watermelons naturally ripen by about mid-August, and only during this period there is no need to use nitrates for a speedy harvest. This fact should also be guided by when choosing a fetus.

Recently, many in suburban areas, in the middle lane, grow watermelons. Many names and varieties. Of course, they must first be grown as seedlings, at a temperature not lower than + 22 degrees, and then at the end of May or the beginning of June, when at least three leaves appear, watermelons are planted either in a greenhouse or in open ground.

In open ground, crops are covered with spunbond. So, from the beginning of sowing them into the ground or a greenhouse, 60 days should pass until they ripen. Of course, this period is relative, since in hot weather the period may be shorter, and in rainy weather longer, however, it is after 60 days that the ripeness of the berry should be determined.

The next indicator of ripeness is the luster of the watermelon peel, when it ceases to be matte and shines, it is at this moment that the ripening process occurs. Many people determine the ripeness of a watermelon by the scratches on the peel that crows leave when they start pecking at them. How they determine the ripeness of a watermelon remains a mystery, but they are never wrong.

The next indicator of ripeness is the yellow side, the place where the watermelon lies. And a more practical definition is a dried ponytail. Undoubtedly, the larger spot on the opposite side, from the tail, of the watermelon is also reflected in the taste. Since it determines, with its large size, a woman's affiliation.

Many people prefer to tap on a watermelon, saying that it has become sonorous and ripe. This is an erroneous conclusion, since during the ripening period, almost all watermelons have a more sonorous sound, and if you can compare it on melon for the first time, and then a week later, this will give a result.

And if you hear this sound for the first time, then it will be problematic to determine the ripeness of a watermelon, since after a sonorous sound (the ripening process), a duller sound should be heard (when it is already ripe), since when ripe, the inner part of the pulp bursts and we hear a more empty , muffled, not ringing sound. Of course, very green and overripe watermelons also have a dull sound.
RVT