1. Prepare Soil: Choose well-draining, fertile soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches and remove any rocks or debris. 2. Plant Seeds: Plant watermelon seeds in hills or rows, spacing them about 6 inches apart. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and cover with soil. 3. Water: Water the soil thoroughly after planting to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. 4. Provide Sunlight: Watermelons require full sun to thrive. Choose a sunny location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. 5. Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost to the soil before planting. Watermelons are heavy feeders and benefit from additional nutrients during the growing season. 6. Mulch: Mulch around the base of the watermelon plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the fruits from direct contact with the soil. 7. Support (Optional): For larger watermelon varieties or if growing vertically, provide support for the vines using trellises or stakes. 8. Pollination: Watermelon flowers require pollination to set fruit. Encourage pollinators like bees to visit your garden by planting pollinator-friendly flowers nearby. 9. Harvest: Watermelons are ready to harvest when the tendrils near the fruit turn brown, the bottom of the fruit changes from white to yellow, and the fruit sounds hollow when tapped. Cut the watermelon from the vine using a sharp knife.