If you can put down black plastic and cut a slit in that where you want to plant the melon seedling, that'll help to warm the soil. Melons like WARM soil and LOTS of water, so don't be stingy! I've never fertilized melons with anything other than compost.
Yep, I will get manure and black plastic...I’ll give it the old collage try. They have just poked out of their pot, so have time to get ready.
One question. When I looked them up, there was a wide range of the size/lbs. I think the one that was brought to garden club was roundish and not very big. But, memory fades. I was surprised on different descriptions from 8lbs to 25lbs.