05-19-03 Byron Tumlinson sent information on melons 

Black Diamond watermelons are just like any other watermelon. You should never harvest them until the curl and spoon at the base of the melon is completely dead and dry. This is the little leaf right at the bottom of the melon that resembles a spoon. The curl will be just below the spoon leaf and looks like a pigs tail. When those are dead and dry, the melon is at it's sweetest. Watermelons, just like their name implies, needs lots of water while they are growing. The mistake most people make is watering them when they are mature. Too much water at this time will cut down on the sugar content of the melon. This is also true of cantaloupe. You can tell when a cantaloupe is at its sweetest by looking at where the stem joins the melon. You should see the stem starting to separate from the melon. If this is not happening, do not move the melon. If the stem is starting to separate, lift the melon gently about 1 inch from the ground. If the stem pulls away from the melon easily, the melon is ready. If the stem does not pull away, leave it until the next day and try again. Never pull on a cantaloupe to separate it from the vine even if the melon looks like it is over ripe. If you follow these rules for watermelons and cantaloupe, you should enjoy the sweetest of the harvest.