Sweet Success! How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon Every Time in Arkansas

Aw, June. June is the perfect month to enjoy one of Arkansas'  favorite summer treats...The Watermelon. But do you know how to spot the best one? The watermelon that will be the sweetest and the juiciest?

There are six things to look for in a watermelon, and it doesn't matter if you are buying them at a store, a farmers market or a fruit stand on the side of the road. These tips will help you pick out the perfectly ripe watermelon. If a watermelon isn't ripe, then it won't be sweet.

1. Big Buttery Yellow Spot

Look for a yellow area on the watermelon. This is the area where it was lying on ground while it was growing. If the watermelon is ripe, there will be the yellow patch. It means it's been lying on the ground, growing and getting ripe. If there is no yellowish area then it was picked too soon.

2. Is The Watermelon's Belly Button Green or Brown?

This is a good one to watch for, the color of the navel or belly button. Is it green or brown? If it's green, keep looking because a green belly button means it was picked too early. When you find one with a brown belly button, that's a good sign, but there are other things to check before you buy it.

3. Does it Have Dents or Cuts

If it has dents, cuts, bruising or soft spots, then put it back and start again.

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4. Does The Watermelon Have Brown or Tan Webbing on the Skin?  

This is a sign of bees pollinating the fruit early on. Some say the more webbing, the more pollination, the sweeter the melon.

5. Knock on it and Listen to the Sound

If you knock on it and it sounds hollow, that is a great sign that it's good! The hollow sound is from it having a lot of water in it. The more water the juicer it will be.

Last but not least...

6. Buy In Season

You should only buy watermelons in the summer months for the best taste. Even better, buy watermelons locally when you can. Arkansas watermelons are the best! That's why we have the Hope Watermelon Festival!

Check out the video below for more information on these tips for finding the best watermelon ever!