Check the pale spot (tendril) on the vine closest to where the melon attaches; when it turns brown and completely dries up, the melon is ripe. Additionally, the cream-colored field spot on the underside of the watermelon should turn a warm buttery yellow, and tapping the fruit should produce a deep, hollow sound rather than a dull thud.

Congo Watermelon won the prestigious All-America Selections award in 1950. It was specifically bred by the USDA Agricultural Research Service to feature a thick, tough rind that resists bruising during transport, along with built-in resistance to anthracnose disease, making it a resilient favorite for home growers.

Congo Watermelons generally need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week while the vines are growing and setting fruit. Deep, infrequent watering early in the morning at the base of the plant helps foster strong roots and prevents foliar diseases like powdery mildew.

Yes. While the vines will naturally support multiple melons, limiting each vine to 2 or 3 developing fruits allows the plant to channel all of its energy and nutrients into growing maximum-sized watermelons closer to the 50-pound weight class.