I once killed a wood chuck with a shovel. He dug his hole right in the middle of the garden. I ran the hose into the hole till he had to come up for air and not drown and crowned him with the shovel. I feel bad for that still to this day. I should have shot him.
Melons need to be started indoors, but not too early, same with water melons too. Make sure they get all day sun. I grow both and they are the best you will ever eat. Sweet. I can't even bring the musk melons into the house because the smell gets too strong. One year I did 10 varieties, too much. I am down to 2 of each now. Almost time to hit the seed catalogs. I start all my own stuff by seed in my sun room. I am going to get my 7 year old involved this year, although I know she won't be interested in weeding. I can actually say I enjoy gardening as much as fishing. I also have apples, peaches, black and red raspberries, blackberries, pears, rhubarb, and my fav blueberries. If you can you should put some asparagus in as stores can't touch the flavor of fresh picked. I also have many
landscape plants and at least 100 varieties
of Rhododendrons another passion of mine. Many are hidden around the yard so the wife won't kill me. I will be pruning within the next month. Come on spring.