Watermelon Tips

Growing

• If you live in warmer climates, growing watermelon is easy. Throw some seeds into sandy, loam soil outside during the warmer months and they will take care of themselves. If you live in northern climates where you have more cold months than warm, start growing them inside and transplant your watermelon plants to the outside after they have started to grow. Plant the seedlings about 2 feet to 3 feet apart in a row with 7 feet to 10 feet between the rows. Weed the area regularly and do not disturb the watermelon roots when hoeing the soil. Water them during especially hot days when the soil gets really dry. Watermelons do not need to be watered regularly.

Purchasing

• There are only a few things to look for when picking out a good melon at your grocery store or farmer's market. Rap on them lightly with your fist while they are still in the bin. Listen for a hollow sound. The hollower and higher pitched the noise, the better. Second, the melon should be firm as well as symmetrical. Avoid defects, such as bruises or cuts. Select as heavy a melon as you can find. Look for a cream-colored spot on the underside of the melon. This indicates the spot where the melon sat on the ground while it ripened.

Eating

• The easiest way to enjoy watermelon is to cut it into wedges and eat it right off the rind. These fruit also make a good component for a fruit salad as the less prominent taste of the watermelon will complement stronger-tasting fruit. Some people like their watermelon with a light sprinkling of salt. Watermelon also make a nice accompaniment to rum-based drinks. Slice small chunks of melon and place one on the rim of a cocktail glass filled with your favorite rum beverage.

Seedless Vs. Seeded

• Seeded watermelons are the natural state of watermelon. They are full of small, black, hard seeds most people spit out while eating though there is no harm in eating them and some even do so by choice. It is possible to buy seedless varieties. These are cultivated by cloning and breeding watermelons until a triploid, a plant that produces infertile fruit or a fruit without seeds is produced. Some prefer seedless watermelons because they can be eaten without worry of biting into a hard seed. Those who prefer seeded melons claim they are more natural and have a sweeter taste, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference as to which you prefer.