Old tires make great raised individual planters. The black tires also help absorb more heat. I can not stress good, fertile soil enough. Melons need plenty of compost and well-rotted manure. Used raised beds or mounds for best results.
Melons also require generous amounts of water in order to support quick vine growth in early summer.
It's a good idea to use soaker hoses or a drip irrigation system to provide sufficient water. However, once the first fruit ripens, cut way back on watering. Too much water at ripening time will dilute the fruit's sugars. With our cooler weather, powdery mildew can sometimes be a problem. To prevent powdery mildew, spray leaves with water-tolerant sulphur when nights are cool.