Watermelon

Sow seeds indoors 1/4 inch (.5 cm) deep in peat pots 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Place outside 2 weeks after the last frost, 3 plants on each hill and each hill 3 feet (90 cm) apart for bushes, or 8 feet (2.5 m) apart for vines. Keep the soil intact when transplanting, as the transplants are delicate. Direct seed a few weeks after last frost, or when the soil is 70F (21C) or higher. Plant 1/2 inch (1 cm) deep, 6 seeds per hill, hills 3 feet (90 cm) apart for bushes, or 8 feet (2.5 m) apart for vines. Thin to 2-3 plants per hill. Until pollination the plants will require a consistent amount of water. By the time the fruit is the size of a tennis ball, you should only water if the soil is dry and the leaves show signs of dryness. Do not plant squash, melons, or pumpkins in the same spot two years in a row.