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Location

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Date Posted

Chatham Ontario Canada

Now that I have a pumpkin growing should I put it on a bed of straw or mulch or just leave it on the ground?

7/20/2006 12:37:14 PM

[email protected]

Sand

7/20/2006 1:32:55 PM

sevierville, Tn

sand is great. think dry,non rotting,absorbant.

7/20/2006 1:36:07 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Ive used styrofoam, like the sheets they use on the outside of homes. They come in sheets 4'x8'. I had them up in the barn and they worked great!. Good luck.

7/20/2006 1:40:29 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I would keep the mulch away from the pumpkin: too much chance of a mouse making a nest right next to its meal.

7/20/2006 1:59:11 PM

No Place Special

I have used the styrofoam before and feeln it atracts mice to make a nest. Ill never use it again.

Mike

7/20/2006 2:20:02 PM

Ohio

I used the house insulation (styrofoam) last year and my bottoms was perfect,had a mole tunneling under neath it most of the summer and it never bothered it,but not sure about mice. Im using it again this year.

Brooks

7/20/2006 3:15:41 PM

KENTUCKY

I've used foam for several years. Just insure you punch holes in the foam like a checkerboard every 4" or so to let water drain. Mice and other critters will love the foam to make homes under. Just insure you keep mouse trpas all around the foam to keep them dead! I've never had a mouse chew thru the foam and into the fruit. Fruit have always been flat and perfect under the foam every year. DON'T FORGET THE TRAPS IF YOU USE THE FOAM METHOD!!

Mike

7/20/2006 4:02:23 PM

Simi valley, ca

i use sand , but also put & re-use peices of quarter inch mesh galvnized wire aprox 3x3 ft coveres most of bottom -thats under sand to prevent gofers or moles !!

7/20/2006 5:42:56 PM

[email protected]

Fissssh speaks the truth if critters are a concern. Copper screening is even better for mice if you can find it.

7/20/2006 6:07:30 PM

Butler, Ohio

I used the Styrofoam last year, and would prefer not to use it again. It was mostly my own fault for not paying attention and the pumpkin grew to the point where it grew past the end of the foam and developed a crease in the bottom and eventually split! .......lesson learned, will chalk it up to experience. I plan on trying the sand this year with better luck.

7/20/2006 8:43:00 PM

Indiana

Paper mill fabric is the way to go if you can find it. The mice cant chew thru it, moisture drains thru it. the pumpkin slides smoothly on it as it grows and its pretty much indestructable.
Steve

7/21/2006 10:55:30 AM

milford, CT,

Question for guys using pulp mill fabric. Do you put sand under it or just lay it on the soil? I've been putting sand under it but if it's not necessary I'll stop doing it. Mark

7/21/2006 4:01:04 PM

Indiana

I dont use sand more stuff to haul. but i suppose it would help keep the bottom round.
Steve

7/21/2006 4:15:02 PM

I wrote a long paper about this subject, meaning to send it in to BP to put up in their How To section. I should dig it out because it's that time of year again.

7/21/2006 5:23:39 PM

Long Island,New York

My best suggestion......3/4 plywood thats 3 ft wide x 5 ft long to start...add 6 inch strips to sides as it widens. On top of the plywood place two layers of mill fabric. Some mill fabric has grooves on the surface, some doesn't. Put the slipperiest arrangement on top of the plywood and you can slide a pkn when its 600lbs all by yourself.

7/21/2006 6:16:57 PM