What I have learned growing watermelon...don't buy plantlings. Watermelons do not like to be messed with once they start growing and very rarely get all the water they need causing stress from the beginning. Don't bother with seed starting. See above and also they tend to develop root rot easily. Dig a shovel deep hole. put in good compost or aged manure, cover with good dirt, make a mound, drop in 5 seeds, cover with more dirt, pat down and water gently but thoroughly. Don't let the mound dry out, don't move the long vines. You can move the new ones out of your way. Don't worry about weeds or grass, none of that will bother the melons and the more cover they have the more likely they will grow. Know your zone. My zone is 7b. It makes a big difference. Know your area. A small part seems to be in a dip and will have problems with light freezes. I found this works with all melons. Plant well , water a lot and leave the heck alone.
What I have learned growing watermelon...don't buy plantlings. Watermelons do not like to be messed with once they start growing and very rarely get all the water they need causing stress from the beginning. Don't bother with seed starting. See above and also they tend to develop root rot easily. Dig a shovel deep hole. put in good compost or aged manure, cover with good dirt, make a mound, drop in 5 seeds, cover with more dirt, pat down and water gently but thoroughly. Don't let the mound dry out, don't move the long vines. You can move the new ones out of your way. Don't worry about weeds or grass, none of that will bother the melons and the more cover they have the more likely they will grow. Know your zone. My zone is 7b. It makes a big difference. Know your area. A small part seems to be in a dip and will have problems with light freezes. I found this works with all melons. Plant well , water a lot and leave the heck alone.