If you're a gardener—or someone who just loves to grow their own food—you know darn well there's nothing better than picking the perfect vegetable from the garden.  Like, you grew that all by yourself!

If you've attempted to grow watermelons in your backyard, and you think it's ready to be picked, how do you know if it's ripe enough?

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I'm no expert, but I was reading an article from a farmer who seemed like they knew exactly what they were talking about.  So, I'm here to share all the wisdom I studied up on so you can pick the perfect watermelon this summer!

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Illinois Gardeners: How To Know If Your Watermelon Is Ripe

The outside probably looks really promising, right?  From first look, it's ready to slice into.  Well, the inside can either be ready.... or not.

According to Jordan Carter, who works for a watermelon farm in Georgia (which is basically the watermelon capital of the world!), the secret is in the belly.  Here's how you can tell if your sweet, sweet baby is ready to crack open!

1. Flip your watermelon over and check the field spot (the part that rested directly on the ground)
2. If it's creamy, yellowish, or buttery you're golden!
3. If it's white or light green, you need to give it a little more time!

I also read that a ripe watermelon should feel heavy.  So, if you're debating between a small and large watermelon, grab the heavier one.  Always!

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If you're all about the "sound", do the sound test.  Tap on your watermelon and listen for a dull, hollow sound.  If there's more of a high-pitched ping, it's not ready yet.

"Some people suggest that you can thump on the side of the melon to determine ripeness. This may not be the most scientific method and requires a pretty good ear, but there’s some truth to the thumping method." [msn]

There are so many ways to figure out if your home-grown watermelons are ready for slicing, so pick your favorite method and give it a go!  I'm gonna try to grow my own this summer and put all of these to the test.  Hopefully, they don't fail me.  Happy growing!