As everyone prepares for various barbeques and gatherings this time of year one of the most common items you'll see is a big watermelon. Whether it's out there for casual snacking or the focal point of a delicious summer buffet watermelon is bound to make a summer appearance in your life.

Here in New York while we can usually get watermelon all year round, the best ones are always going to be found this time of the year. However buying one has never been the easiest thing for me to do. I have no idea how to pick out a melon and there's always a good chance that once I cut into it is going to be terrible.

I was lucky to find this account over on Instagram called Nature Reliance. It's a series of videos by author Craig Caudill. He shares tips on how to find the best in nature on this page as well as some survival skills.

Picking the Perfect Melon

The above video breaks things down pretty well on what you need to be looking for to find the most prefect juicy melon. I think the worst thing that can happen to us when were at our Capital Region grocery store of choice is getting home and finding that the melon we picked is a dud. Dry, mealy, or lacking in taste. No one is going to want to eat that.

Read More: Upstate New York Summer Forecast Revealed

If by chance you can't check out the video, here are the steps from Craig laid out in order below. Remember, you can really steal the show this summer if you're able to bring that perfect melon with you.

How To Pick the Perfect Watermelon

The good folks over at Nature Reliance posted some great tips on how to identify the perfect watermelon. Here are what they say to look for to ensure your buying the best possible one.

Gallery Credit: Canva

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