how do I tell if a muskmelon is ripe enough to pick?

Answer 1

Ripe muskmelon fruit is nearly round, tan to greenish-tan, and rough textured. The outer skin, or rind, looks like a network of intertwining veins.
Here's a picture:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/vegetabl/muskmel1.htm

Fruits mature in 42 to 46 days from pollination, 90 days from seed, depending on cultivar and environment. Netting should be coarse and prominent according to variety and with no green lines showing, Muskmelons will not produce any additional sugars off the vine since there are no starch reserves to break down

"Melons are ready for harvest when the stem slips easily and cleanly away from the end of the melon, leaving a clean dish-shaped scar. Melons should be slightly soft and have a pleasant aroma. Muskmelon fruit will not ripen off the vine. They can be stored for only 3-4 days when fully ripe."
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/hfrr/extensn/Hort_Tips/Vegetable_Crops/Muskmelon.htm

You may enjoy this site's discussion about melons ripening & their photos:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg071307109246.html
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

They don't have to be ripe to pick them.If they had'nt grown any in the last couple of weeks then there safe to pick.You can bring them in and let them ripen.When they get a sweet smell then there probably ripe.They will also soften up after a couple of days.

Answer 3

I wanted to know that very question so I asked a grower at our local farmer's market and he said that it will just pop off the vine easily when it is ripe. He said that I should just pick it up every now and again and if it comes off when I lift it then it is ripe. Of course it is perfectly okay to pick it before it is ripe because it will continue to ripen on its own.

Answer 4

Shake it and if the seeds rattle inside it is absolutely ready. The skin will also look orangish under all the little wiggly stripes on it. Also you can push on the blossom end and if it gives it is ripe. And of course, the wonderful smell as well.

Answer 5

Will Have A Sweet Smell