Watermelons you should definitely start early as they are tougher than muskmelons/canteloupes to grow in the north. Gourds you can plant directly outside on May 24... I have grown them direct from seed here in zone 3 at 53.5 degrees north latitude, and they were exceptionally heavy producers by early September. I have grown muskmelons/canteloupes twice here (going back to my garden notes for details). In 1999 I grew 3 plants of "Alaskan canteloupe", starting the seeds indoors on April 30 and planting in the garden under plastic on May 27. The plastic was removed around July 1, and on Sep. 12 when frost threatened I picked 6 small melons -- 4 were about grapefruit-size, and 2 were double that. They weren't quite ripe yet but muskmelons ripen nicely in a warm spot indoors as long as they have sized-up outside. In 2003 I grew "Passport tropical melon", which looked like some kind of cross between canteloupe and honeydew, with canteloupe rind and a sweet greenish flesh that tastes like a very sweet canteloupe. I didn't record as many details, but they were earlier, began ripening in mid-August and when I picked the last of them on Sept. 8, I had picked 10 melons from a 4'x5' patch. I've included a pic of a Passport melon taken on August 20. I've tried watermelons here twice, both fails. One year they got no bigger than walnut size at harvest, the other year it was a small yellow ice-box melon that sized up one melon in the garden but it never ripened. Watermelons won't ripen indoors, so it's mature them in the garden or not at all. Canteloupe-like Passport melon, Aug. 20, 2003:

Right now, I need a sump pump...and I live on a hill. More rain in the forecast, too. The weather pattern has changed here - normally an El Nino year means severe drought in Oklahoma. Not this season anyway. With our normally semi-dry to dry summers, I use the garden hose to water EVERY day in most areas and every other day in other areas that prefer dryer conditions. We have our own well, so I can also use the sprinkler without ill affects on my plants. It is just like rain water. The birds, butterflies, bees and amphibians love it too. When I hand water, the birds follow me from tree to tree, so I spray up into the trees and they chirp and sing for me. The occasional tortoise will come out of hiding for a long, cool drink, too. I set the mister on the tropicals and water-loving ferns etc. to keep them happy. This takes all day. I use soaker hoses under my veggies when it is very hot and very dry to prevent scorching and so the water will get down deep where the nutrients are and encourage deep roots. For under my Phlox and roses, &etc., I screw on a fan sprayer and let it run slowly, gently and deeply under them to prevent leaf-scorch, and do this as often as needed. I even water in the winter if it is a dry winter. Soil heave (freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw) is terrible here in Okie, and in dry winters this will kill plants and even small trees and shrubs. And of course, potted plants need a drink just about every day in the summer. That is how I have to do it here to keep mine alive year round. ~Annie

As much as they need. When the plants are small, water when the first inch or so of the top soil is dry, this could be everyday if the weather is warm or windy. As they grow, you water at greater intervals and you water deeper to encourage the roots to grow down and out - tomato roots can extend 6' except when in containers of course. If you water too much, the plants produce vegetative growth, stems and foliage. If there is any risk that their lives are going to end (stress) i.e. drought, flowers and fruit are produced. So don't make them too happy, but don't stress them so far that they can't recover. Growing them fast (lots of water and fertilizer) can lead to predatory insects, wind breakage and collapse, growing them hard (moderate water and fertilizer) leads to longer lived plants and reproduction (flowers/fruits). So, there is no substitute for daily observation and accessment of the weather and soil conditions. Also, veggies and fruit given the time to grow slowly absorb more minerals from the soil and have a higher nutritional content. Isn't that a good reason to have a home garden (good taste too)?

emmachas, I copied this from Remodelfla's thread on making bread. The recipe is Trailrunner's. Search 'challah recipe' and you will find several of her bread threads. Enjoy yourself in your new kitchen! Dissolve 5 tsp or 2 packets of dry yeast in 1 1/2 c warm water. Add 1/4 c sugar and stir to dissolve. Wait til yeast is foamy and add 1/4 c butter ( or pareve if Kosher) softened and 3 whole eggs. Whisk together. In KA mixer or Cuisinart food processor mix 6 1/2 c unbleached or bread flour and 2 tsp salt. Start KA or processor and slowly pour in liquids. Process till smooth satiny dough. about 1 1/2 min. Or you can stir this up by hand in a bowl ( see tutorial) May need up to another 1/2 c flour or a few Tbsp. water....depends on the weather and the flour. Let rise til double in greased bowl covered ...about 1 hr. Degas and shape into 3 braids or may make burger buns or dinner rolls or even regular 9"x5" pan loaves. Let rise til less than double. Bake 350 degrees 30 min. til hollow when tapped on bottom. May glaze with 1 eggyolk diluted w/ 2 tsp 1/2 and 1/2 and decorate w/ sesame or poppy seeds.