How to Tell When a Watermelon is Ripe

It's watermelon time! Here are a few ways to help you pick a sweet juicy one.

1. Thump it. If the watermelon sounds hollow, it's ripe. The sound should not be too high or too low.

2. Look at the color on the top. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes.

3. Look at the color on the bottom. A green watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-colored bottom.

4. Press on it. If the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, it's ripe. Be careful not to bruise the flesh.