You could get a big jump on melons by using black plastic. 40" wide roll of 1 mil. Till a long row, fertilize, lay drip tape, pull plastic, quick and easy. The soil will warm quite a bit quicker...Once its over 65℉ (a few inches down) you can seed. Advantages...weed control, warmer soil=>better growth. YOU control water, you want plenty of water through fruit set, but then you want to taper off water for ripening highest quality fruit. Without plastic, a late season rain can ruin everything.
End of season, remove the plastic and seed it with some kind of cover till the next year.
This is all easier with a sandy loam, if your friends soil is clayey you need to be more careful.
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