@JBeberstein Drip feed watering?

Last year was my first year trying it, my plants ended up having blight. This year there is no sign of disease or fungus and the vines are 10-15 feet long already!

@FrayedBear I fill 10 5 gallon buckets with water every night, allow the chlorine to evaporate for the next 24 hours, and water from the buckets with large (32 oz?) cups each evening after the suns off the plants. It's about 30 minutes work each evening, but I enjoy checking on my plants and I don't mind the time spent.

@JBeberstein The close proximity of everything lends itself to setting up black pipe tubing and drippers. Once done lasts for years. It wasn't the time that concerned me just the possibility of dry soil during the heat of day hindering growth of melons. What fertiliser did you use in the soil mix to get 15' -ers?

@FrayedBear I haven't fertilized yet this year. I start with Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil and usually make it about 3 months before I see any signs of nutrient deficiencies. Last year, I got through the entire growing season with the original soil nutrients and epsom salts. This year, I plan to add fish emulsion.

I am in a very warm and dry zone so I get to start early!

Thank you!