For the past several years coyotes have eaten all of my watermelons just before they get ripe when I plant in a field ( as many as 75 to 100). So this year I got the wild idea to put them in a raised bed in the back yard. I chose a small variety (sugar baby) thinking maybe I could contain them somewhat. My bed is 8x16 ( 6 cross ties). This morning I counted 29 melons cannonball size or larger.