Can anyone give me some tips on growing watermelons?

Question

I sort of planted one by spitting seeds on the ground and now I have a huge watermelon plant with one decent size watermelon and a couple of "starter" melons. HELP

Answer 1

Supplying water throughout the growth of the plant is important, & absolutely critical during flowering and development of the fruit. Watermelons transpire 0.3 inches per day. To account for this, irrigation should occur two to three times a week (in good weather) with 0.5 - 0.8 inches of water being applied at each application. The primary focus of irrigation is to keep the top few inches of soil moist at all times, but to keep the soil from being waterlogged.
http://www.uga.edu/vegetable/watermelon.html

In determining when watermelons are ripe. Use a combination of the following indicators: (1) light green, curly tendrils on the stem near the point of attachment of the melon usually turn brown and dry; (2) the surface color of the fruit turns dull; (3) the skin becomes resistant to penetration by the thumbnail and is rough to the touch; and (4) the bottom of the melon (where it lies on the soil) turns from light green to a yellowish color. These indicators for choosing a ripe watermelon are much more reliable than "thumping" the melon with a knuckle.
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/watermelon1.html

Make sure you harvest your melon before a hard freeze. Once picked, uncut watermelon can be stored for about 2 weeks at room temperature especially if the temperature is about 45 to 50°

Congratulations! Hope this is helpful.

Answer 2

if you are going for size, pick off the little ones so the plant can divert all its energy to the big one

Answer 3

Just make sure it stays watered.

Don't handle the melons until they're ripe.

JUDGE'S JUNGLE