We have a few watermelons in our garden this year. Three weeks ago, it was a disappointment to find that an animal, probably a deer, had bitten a huge gash out of one. To remedy this problem, we covered them with chicken wire and have not had any more problems.
I have been growing watermelons this year and not knowing anything about how to or when to has been a learning experience. The first melon weighted 17 lbs, the second was 35 lbs. There have been others not as big but not many. Now there are still dozens on the vine and growing like crazy. It was been such a learning and fun experience for sure.
Wow!! You did good!!