What About Watermelon?

Last month, I chronicled the first big step in my New Year’s resolution goal of growing my own watermelon: Planting the seeds. I planted the seeds in a small pot indoors, and the second part of that process – waiting until after the last frost of the season to transplant the seed sprouts outside – has finally arrived.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about moving my little watermelon sprouts from my kitchen windowsill to the harsh conditions of my backyard. That’s a picture of them below.

Although the time was right for the move to the great outdoors, I felt kind of like a parent who was watching their five-year-old board the school bus for the first day of kindergarten – a little sad that the big day had finally arrived, but excited for the growth and development that lay ahead.

But I knew I had to let my little watermelon plants grow up someday, and it wasn’t going to happen on my kitchen windowsill. After tilling a six-foot section of yard, I moved my sprouts to the spot where they would be growing big and strong over the next 90 days.

I carefully removed the sprouts from their homes – the cardboard-like pot they sprouted in is intended to be transplanted with them – and buried them gently in the earth. After patting down the topsoil and giving them a drink of water, the time had come for me to let them grow.

Walking away wasn’t easy. I looked back several times before reaching the back door. And then, over the course of the next few days, I found myself standing in the dining room, looking out over the watermelon patch to make sure the sprouts hadn’t wilted under the stress of their new move. They remained strong, of course. Now all I have to do is make sure they stay that way.