Yep, I heard about that. If you put the straw on the melon crosswise. If it turns, it is ripe.

I tried it once and it worked, but most of the other times,it was too windy. The straw just blew off!

Jay

To tell if a water melon is ripe is to look at the bottom it will turn a cream yellow where it touches the ground. Also yo need to learn to thump it for that ripe hollow sound.

The best advice someone gave me is that the tendril closest to the stem will turn brown when the melon is ripe. This also works for pumpkins, squash and the like. It appears to be the most reliable indicator and has given me a lot more confidence in knowing when it is ok to pick.

I have been lucky enough to have worked with a melon farmer of 30 yrs. He thumps them and listens for a hollow type sound. I bought melons from him for years to re-sell, and of the 1,000 per year for 5 years. I only had about 10 returned for not being ripe or over-ripe. He would guarantee the melons to me and I guaranteed the melons to my customers. it gave the customers a sense of relief to know that IF they got a bad melon they could come back and either get their money back or another melon. I never had anyone return more than once. Like I said. LUCKY.