giant watermelon

Question

All that grew were huge plants with tons of small purple pods smaller than a pea. Needless to say, it was my first attempt.

Answer 1

If you started your watermelon plants a little late and your vine is still alive, you could still have a few very small watermelons. Most varieties take about 120 days to mature (from your description, it sounds like you may have planted Sugar Baby watermelons?).

These articles may help you have better success next year:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/watermelon/growing-watermelon.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/watermelon/stunted-watermelon-growth.htm