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Santa Cruz, CA

On average, how much more watering time do you add as your plants reach their maturity and pumpkin growth becomes primary?

7/18/2006 1:22:23 AM

Montoursville, PA

Whatever it takes, to keep the whole plant looking fresh, perky and growing without wilt, from lack, of water. This will be drastically different, from one patch, to another.
As your organic content increases, in relation, to your other physical contents, of your soil less water will be leaching through or out of the patch.

As the plant develops the leaves will give off more water, to the atmosphere, as well as feeding the fruit. This will call, for more water, to maintain a good grow. Those of us with high organic content will not use less water because less is used. The organic content and clay content will decrease leaching and hold water better.

How much do you need? Only you can observe and adjust, to maintain a good level, of dampness, for your patch. Under watering is what I observe more than over watering when I look at other peoples patches.

Hope this helps you deduct, for your needs.

7/18/2006 8:14:36 AM

Santa Cruz, CA

We are doing 10 min. of soaker hoses every day. Our soil is a bit on the clay side and we have been amending it with manure for two years now and this year we added gypsum. In the more clay parts of the patch, I can see a water ring on the soil the next day when I go to water again. The soaker hoses are buried about 3" down. We are next to a creek and our neighbors hit water for their well at 14'. Maybe the water table is high? In the more amended areas we have no water ring the next day after watering. Is there a "dig down six inches" type of check? The plants look good with no flagging except on really hot days...maybe we are ok.

7/18/2006 10:45:04 AM

Pennsylvania

I apply 1 Gallon to every 4 sq ft. of root area..Daily....

7/19/2006 1:10:48 PM

milford, CT,

If I remember right @700 gallons = 1 inch of rain per 1000 sq ft. I am using T-Tape and water 45 minutes every day @ 90 gallons/day for 25 x 40 patch. So far it seems right, when I have dup down the water is penetrating 8-10 inches and my pumpkins are growing better than past years. Mark

7/19/2006 8:58:12 PM

[email protected]

620 gallons = 1 inch per 1000 sq ft.

7/19/2006 11:23:23 PM