MY SON JUSTIN IS 16 YEARS OLD AND GREW A 160 # CAROLINA CROSS WATERMELON LAST YEAR WITH SEVERAL OTHER MELONS OVER 100#. HE PLANTED THE SEEDS INDOORS IN APRIL AND TRANSPLANTED THE PLANTS OUTSIDE AFTER THE THREAT OF FROST WAS OVER IN MAY. HE USED COW MANURE AND MADE A TEA WITH IT. SOAKING THE MANURE IN WATER AND THEN WATERING THE PLANTS WITH IT. HE ALSO USED MIRACLE GROW EVERY 2 WEEKS. HE WATERED THE PLANTS DAILY AND WHEN IT GOT REALLY HOT HE KEPT THE MELONS SHADED WITH PLASTIC LIDS THAT COME ON THE BIG RUBBERMAID TUBS. WHEN THE VINES STARTED MAKING MELONS HE PICKED ALL THE MELON BLOOMS OFF EXCEPT FOR ONE MELON PER PLANT SO THAT THE PLANT ISN'T FEEDING SEVERAL MELONS. JUSTIN SELLS HIS WATERMELON SEEDS FROM HIS 160# AT MY EBAY STORE. WE ARE EXCITED THIS YEAR BECAUSE HE IS TRYING FOR A 200# MELON AND HOPES TO TAKE IT TO THE MISSOURI STATE FAIR IN AUGUST. I HOPE THIS GUIDE HELPS AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR WATERMELONS!