To choose a good watermelon, several key tips can help ensure the melon is ripe, sweet, and juicy:

• Pick a watermelon that is round rather than oval, as round watermelons tend to be sweeter and less watery.
• Look for a dark yellow "field spot," the area where the melon rested on the ground, which indicates ripeness; a creamy or dark yellow spot means the melon had time to ripen fully.
• Prefer watermelons with dull and darker green skin rather than shiny skin, which usually indicates underripe melons.
• Check the webbing or sugar spots (thin lines or veins on the rind); more extensive webbing means more sweetness.
• Use the "two-finger rule" on striped watermelons: the green stripes should be wide enough to fit two adult fingers side by side.
• Tap the watermelon and listen for a deep, hollow sound like a "bucket full of water," suggesting juiciness.
• The watermelon should feel heavy for its size, indicating more water content and juiciness.
• The rind should be firm and hard; avoid soft spots or bruises.

Avoid watermelons that have flat sides (can indicate bruising), shine (underripe), or are too soft to squeeze firmly. These tips offer a practical approach for selecting a ripe watermelon without cutting it open.