I planted 4 kinds of melon and none of them looked healthy - I would guess maybe a problem with the soil in the bed, or maybe over-irrigation (I don’t have control of that.)
I had them in raised rows because I was concerned about the irrigation, and I noticed that they had very shallow surface roots all over the bed, which I think they would not have if the bed had dried out between waterings.
Possibly. And sometimes the irrigation in raised beds leaches the nutrients out as well. Maybe try some feeding next year if you do them similarly. I’ve had (and other freepers as well) stupendous luck and results from adding ‘Texas Tomato Food’ (on other stuff besides tomatoes) to my raised beds once a week or so *after* I do the soaker hose thingie.
I’m sorry your melons didn’t work out. I know how it is to have your mouth set for something and then some evil critter (or just bad circumstances) gets there before you do. Chipmunks and voles got my entire fall/winter crop last year. I have chicken wire underneath my raised beds now. Evil furry critters wiped the whole business out last year. Augh.