Watermelons reveal their ripeness by their color. A melon's underside is yellow when ripe (not white). Also, the tendril at the joint of the fruit stem usually dies when the watermelon is ready for harvest.
Days to Harvest: 20 to 30 for leafy types; 30 to 60 for head lettuces. When to Plant: Most all types do best in cool weather and are cold-tolerant, so begin sowing in early spring. Make frequent, regular sowings of small amounts of seed to keep a consistent but manageable supply of greens. Try sowing a 1- to 2-foot row of seeds weekly until temperatures reach the 80s. Light: One of the few vegetables that can tolerate some shade and even benefit from it, especially as the weather warms…
BAY LEAF: A fresh leaf bay leaf in each storage container of beans or grains will deter weevils and moths. Sprinkle dried leaves with other deterrent herbs in garden as natural insecticide dust. A good combo: Bay leaves, cayenne pepper, tansy and peppermint.
Hales Best Jumbo was developed by a Japanese market gardener in California around 1920. It became widely popular because it combined excellent flavor with earliness. Its a beautiful oval melon with deep green skin and golden netting. The flesh is an appealing salmon color, aromatic and sweet.