how do the rest of you grow watermelon?

they need heat and a long season more than anything. wait until the soil is properly warm before planting, full sun, and loads of room for the vines (or grow them up a trellis and support the fruit in slings). water deeply and regularly while the fruit is swelling, then ease off near the end, it makes them sweeter. ripe when the curly tendril nearest the fruit has dried brown and the spot underneath has gone creamy yellow.