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The best time to harvest Jubilee watermelon is when the tendril closest to the fruit turns brown and dries up.
That little curly tendril is your number one indicator that the melon is ready to come off the vine.
If you’ve been wondering when to harvest Jubilee watermelon, you’re in the right place because this variety has a few specific signals you need to watch.
Jubilee watermelons are known for their light green skin with dark green stripes and their sweet, crisp red flesh, and they take about 90 days to mature from planting.
In this post, we’ll go over exactly when to harvest Jubilee watermelon so you pick yours at peak ripeness instead of too early or too late.
Let’s dive in.
When to Harvest Jubilee Watermelon: The Key Signs
When to harvest Jubilee watermelon comes down to watching a few reliable signs that the fruit is fully ripe and ready.
Here’s what to look for:
1. The Tendril Turns Brown and Dry
The tendril nearest the stem of the melon is the most trustworthy signal for when to harvest Jubilee watermelon.
While the vine is still feeding the fruit, this tendril stays green and alive.
Once the melon stops ripening and pulls away from the vine, the tendril shrivels and turns brown.
When that tendril is completely dry, your Jubilee watermelon is ready to harvest.
2. The Ground Spot Turns Creamy Yellow
Flip your Jubilee watermelon over and check the spot where it sat on the soil.
If that spot is white or pale green, the melon still needs time.
When the spot turns a creamy yellow color, that’s a clear sign it’s time to harvest Jubilee watermelon.
This color shift happens because the fruit stops producing chlorophyll as it fully ripens.
3. The Skin Loses Its Shine
A ripe Jubilee watermelon has a dull, slightly matte surface instead of a glossy one.
Run your hand over the skin and if it feels smooth and shiny, give it a few more days.
Once the rind looks dull and feels a bit tougher, you can feel confident about when to harvest Jubilee watermelon.
4. The Thump Sounds Hollow
Give your Jubilee watermelon a good thump with your knuckles.
A ripe melon produces a deep, hollow sound, while an unripe one sounds dull and flat.
This hollow thump is one of the classic tests for when to harvest Jubilee watermelon, though it works best alongside the other signs.
5. The Vine Starts Dying Back
As the season winds down, the vine connected to your Jubilee watermelon will begin to dry and die back.
When the vine near the fruit starts browning, that’s nature telling you it’s time to harvest Jubilee watermelon.
Don’t wait too long after this happens because overripe melons get mushy and grainy.
How Many Days Until You Harvest Jubilee Watermelon
Jubilee watermelons typically need around 90 days from planting to reach full maturity.
If you started your seeds indoors and transplanted them, count from the transplant date instead.
Most gardeners find that Jubilee watermelons are ready to harvest in mid to late summer, depending on your climate.
Keep track of your planting date so you know roughly when to start checking for the signs of when to harvest Jubilee watermelon.
Common Mistakes When You Harvest Jubilee Watermelon
Even seasoned gardeners make mistakes when they harvest Jubilee watermelon, so here are a few to avoid.
1. Picking Too Early
Picking too early is the most common mistake when you harvest Jubilee watermelon.
A melon that comes off the vine before it’s ripe will never sweeten up the way you hope.
Unlike some fruits, watermelons don’t continue ripening after you harvest them.
So if you harvest Jubilee watermelon too soon, you’re stuck with a bland, watery fruit.
2. Relying on Size Alone
Big doesn’t always mean ripe, and Jubilee watermelons can vary a lot in size.
Don’t harvest Jubilee watermelon just because it looks huge, since size depends on growing conditions.
Always check the tendril, ground spot, and skin texture instead of guessing by size.
3. Waiting Too Long
On the flip side, waiting too long when you harvest Jubilee watermelon leads to mealy, mushy flesh.
An overripe melon may even start cracking or fermenting on the vine.
Once all the signs line up, don’t hesitate, go ahead and harvest Jubilee watermelon right away.
How to Harvest Jubilee Watermelon the Right Way
Once you know when to harvest Jubilee watermelon, the actual picking part is simple.
Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the stem about two inches from the fruit.
Don’t yank or twist the melon off the vine because that can damage both the fruit and the plant.
Leave a short stem attached, since this helps the melon store longer.
After you harvest Jubilee watermelon, store it in a cool spot or refrigerate it once it’s cut.
A whole Jubilee watermelon can last up to two weeks when kept cool and out of direct sun.
So, When to Harvest Jubilee Watermelon?
The best time to harvest Jubilee watermelon is when the tendril near the fruit turns brown, the ground spot goes creamy yellow, and the skin loses its shine.
Those three signs together tell you the melon is fully ripe and ready.
If you’ve been unsure about when to harvest Jubilee watermelon, just keep an eye on those cues and you’ll nail the timing every season.
Now go enjoy that sweet, juicy Jubilee straight from your garden.