Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil
Wait until soil temperature reaches at least 70°F
Prepare soil by loosening it and mixing in compost
Create small mounds or hills for planting
Plant 2 to 3 seeds about 1 inch deep in each mound
Space mounds 4 to 6 feet apart
Water the soil gently after planting
Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds sprout
Thin seedlings to the strongest 1 or 2 plants per mound
Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Water deeply at the base of the plants as they grow
Avoid wetting the leaves
Provide full sun throughout the growing season
Harvest when the underside turns yellow and the rind sounds hollow