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Mount Prospect,illinois

I just had 3 large pine trees removed from my yard and the stumps ground. Even though i am going to remove most of the resulting mulch, I was wondering if this would be a good spot to try and grow a pumpkin next year. There will obviously be some remaining mulched/ground pieces left which, i guess, could keep soil loose. What issues or benefits should i be planning for?

9/18/2006 8:50:09 PM

Most important,,get the soil tested,,chances are the ph is low,,correct that and make sure the other levels are in balance. Any wood chips will be a nitrogen sink this first year,,you can makeup for that with ferts(organic or otherwise). The up side is they will add OM and help keep the soil loose and the moisture stable.
Check my diary,,my field patch was a blue spruce planting a few years ago.

9/18/2006 10:18:25 PM

[email protected]

The soil pH will probably be very low. Despite having the stumps ground or removed, there will also be a mat of fine (and larger) roots that will take a long time to break down (high lignin content). Tilling will help with the fines roots but look out for those mid-sized & larger roots. Tillers & roots are a dangerous combination. Can you get a backhoe in there before adding manures & lime & such?

9/18/2006 11:55:11 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Thanks guys,
I figured lime would be needed. My space is extremely limited so i have to go with whats available.

9/19/2006 7:10:48 AM

Nashville, TN

If you can hire a farmer w/ a plow - he could really churn it up for you.... Before he comes out - get some loads of composted manure, Potash and lime.. Let him plow these all in - then they can react all winter..

Get a soil test prior to this - then get another test done in Jan.. This will tell you how fast things are reacting/breaking down. It will also give you enough time to tweek it prior to 'kin growing season...

9/19/2006 7:27:33 AM

Mount Prospect,illinois

I wish i had the room for anyone to bring their plow! A farmer would laugh and then probably get angry for me thinking he could make the long trip into my town. I am what i consider an "urban grower" and my backyard is a suburban Chicago type backyard (relatively very small).
I do plan on getting manure and other stuff.

9/19/2006 9:24:00 AM

Oz

You might find a guy with a MINI TRACTOR with a tiller.

9/20/2006 11:16:55 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Fortunately for me, a heighbor across the street has a tiller that i can use. So i am lucky there. It is hand driven like a lawn mowere and should do well. I will watch out for roots. I think i am going to go through with a pick axe and get as many roots as i can prior to tilling since these roots are usually very shallow.

9/21/2006 7:02:58 AM

[email protected]

Watch your back.

9/21/2006 10:55:07 PM