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State Of Jefferson

this is a big part of growing the big pumpkin and each person has there way they have learned over the years. i am just asking to get an idea how you water. once a day for hour, or once week for hour, or couple times a week.

what sort of time schedule do you use time and how long
Thanks Doug

7/1/2003 10:28:54 PM

Puyallup, WA

At my patch, it all depends on the temperature. I have fairly "heavy" soil, so it stays wet longer than those soils that are "sandy". With temps in the 80's, I water three times a week for about 45 minutes each. I hope this helps.

7/2/2003 1:18:59 AM

Montoursville, PA

I have sandy loam with aproximately 10% humus. The watering per 1000 sq. ft. will be maintained daily at a minimum of 110 gallons a day. That is for an underground system with very little evaporation. Overhead watering loses up to fifty percent and more in delivery. So one must record rainfall, add and deduct, to keep a healthy wealthy water rich but not soaking soil. Rest periods should be built in but never permit the soil, in the root zone, to be less than damp. 110 gallons a day, on a thousand sq. ft. patch, delivers a theorized one inch of rain a week. Extra must be added to cover evaporation.

Each grower must make those down home decisions based on principles and the soil make up.

7/2/2003 6:05:46 AM

Tacoma, WA

Post Script....My ten sprinkler heads are putting out 1640 gallons per hour. Watering about 9,000 sq.ft. presently.......covering eleven plants. Some water does not reach the ground due to evaporation and being carried away by the wind.

Stan

7/2/2003 4:38:48 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

To coin a phrase: YIKES! Stan's got some pumpkins!

We're up to 20.4% Organic Matter plus I added a bunch of calcined clay this year so we haven't needed to water yet even once. 9.7 inches of rain in June didn't hurt either but that's another thread....

I would rely on some depth coring (away from roots!) to determine water needs. The top inch of soil may appear dry as it is here. But below that could be adequately moist. So it pays to check regularly for a while we you develope the "feel" for irrigation. Also watch for early signs of wilting. As plants grow in size, their water needs will increase dramatically.

I have several cheapo rain guages for the patch to monitor the actual precipitation rates in the various areas of the patch. For us this is a must. The "old garden" is a sandy loam. The "expansion area" is a clayey loam & will require less water to achieve the same result. For this reason, the sprinklers that service this area are ready to get swapped out for lower output versions should the need arise. This way I don't need to create a seperate zone for each different area.

Periods of low humidity will increase water needs. So will wind & higher temps. Cool, still, humid & overcast weather will greatly decrease the need.

Steve

7/2/2003 9:32:40 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

Hey Doug, I have been watering twice to three times a week for around 20 minutes. My patch in the backyard is 15 inches of top soil sitting on clay. When we do get a good day of soaking rain I may not have to water for an entire week or so.

I do a lot of fishing, I'm always digging holes and burying fish guts in my garden. By digging a hole a foot and a half deep you can get a pretty good idea on moisture content. Make sure to dig far enough away from plants so you don't cut any roots.

Remember pumpkin plants don't like wet feet. Keep them moist but not soaked. Dean o

7/6/2003 10:11:50 AM