From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Beach Park, IL.

What do you use? I used a fleece blanket last night. It didn't fit, tho. I am thinking of using a heavy duty sleeping bag the next time.

8/12/2006 1:27:48 PM

Colorado Springs, Colorado

depends on how cold it is at night and whether or not you have a shade structure over it already. I use a thin white bed spred over the pumpkin and when it starts to get colder, I start to use heavier material. I don't know how cold it get over there in IL. but I assume that it gets hot and humid during the day.

8/12/2006 2:34:13 PM

Taber, Alberta

I hit garage sales every weekend and pick up some really nice thick blankets that I cringe every time I put on my pumpkins. I've also picked up nice thick sleeping bags with broken zippers. I also use carpet underlay. I put a thermometer on the pumpkins and under a few layers of heavy blankets/sleeping bags/underlay and the temps stay around 18-21 degrees celcius when the temp outside drops to 8-10.
Alan

8/12/2006 3:24:41 PM

Beach Park, IL.

How well does this keep it warm? I mean, pumpkins don't generate "body heat" like we do?

8/13/2006 12:45:45 AM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Comforters, sleeping bags (watch the zipper) and wool blankets. GoodWill and Salvation Army outlets are good places to find them.

8/13/2006 7:37:43 AM

Taber, Alberta

They don't generate heat, but if you put blankets on that are big enough and thick enough on the pumpkin in the late afternoon/early evening, it conserves a lot of the heat stored in the pumpkin and surrounding soil. If you have an electronic thermometer that tracks the minimum/maximum temps (available at most hardware stores) you can experiment with what works for you.
Yup, watch the zippers.

8/13/2006 9:43:33 AM

Butler, Ohio

Has anyone ever tried using an electric blanket, or is this not a good idea....just curious?

8/13/2006 10:12:38 AM

Taber, Alberta

I think Ice-man (Eddy) has used or uses them. I've wanted to try them, but these things are not cheap and I haven't stumbled on any at garage sales. I'd just worry about it getting wet and causing electrical problems. I've got an extra soil heating cable I might try attaching to a big blanket when things get really cold in a few weeks. I'll see if that works.

8/13/2006 11:31:50 AM

Rainbowlake Alberta

I am using Latge bath towels right now at 700 everynight i put them in the dryer for 1 hour then cover my one and only kin,I am sure it helps a bit.

8/18/2006 12:22:10 AM