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Garden

What would be the first sign of too much watering?
I have been giving the ground a good soaking every morning, but have been thinking that maybe they are getting too much water? Soil is sandy. Ground never really dries out.
Could too much water hinder growth?
What would be the first sign of too much water?

8/28/2003 6:20:46 PM

Rhode Island

look at your leaves if they are bloated and turn very dark almost blue slow it down

8/28/2003 6:59:41 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Roots that are in water logged soil can no longer use the water due to a lack of oxygen. So if leaves wilt even in damp soil, trouble is brewing. Yellowish leaves (if no other reason is present) may indicated the lack of nitrogen availability which would also become evident.

Pick up a handful of soil & squeeze it. If it still crumbles with the touch of a finger, things are probably OK. But if sqeezing releases dripping water or the balled soil resists falling apart, it's too wet.

Steve

8/28/2003 8:52:23 PM

Garden

Very good. Thanks to you both!

8/29/2003 12:14:30 PM

Montoursville, PA

If the pumpkin comes up off the ground in water the flood is too deep.

If the treadway boards float out of the patch it is moving to fast.

If a carp swirls in a puddle it is to mucked up.

If something looks round and brown with no fins it may not be carp.

If you see paper squares associated with brown elongated objects hope they will both stay as the water goes down.

If you see floating condoms fish them out so the ducks don't cholk on them.

If you see rising gases, bubbles and foam flying out of the main you may have rotted roots and mycorrhizae trying to clean it up.

All of these indicators have appeared in the Northeast this spring and summer. Make notes so you will know what to do if the conditions reappear.

9/2/2003 3:01:28 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

lol doc floating condoms you crack me up...Dot

9/2/2003 3:20:03 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

Hey there Fadedavid, If you have condoms floating then you are definatly headed in the right direction. Theres nothing wrong with that, time release protein for the pumpkin.

Seriously now, every couple of weeks someone always asks how much to water. There is no correct answer for everyone. Each growers soil is differant and watering amounts have to made on your own. Soil type is the biggest factor, if your soil is well drained you have to water more than someone with poor drainage(like me). I suggest digging a hole near your pumpkin 1 foot deep and looking at how moist the soil is. Make sure to dig far enough away where you will not cut any off the roots. If you do cut off some roots I would'nt worry too much, just try to avoid doing that. If your soil is dry all the way down in a 12 inch hole I would water a little more. If its really wet I would wait a few days before I water again.

Another factor to consider is current fruit size. My pumpkin is over 600 lbs. right now and I have poorly drained soil, I water all the time and I still have a hard time keeping the soil consistantly moist. That pumpkin just drinks and drinks(kinda like me).

If you are going to error I would error on the side of over watering verse under watering. After all a pumpkin is 80% water. Keep the big ones soaked down...Dean o

9/2/2003 6:12:23 PM

Sask, Canada

LMAO Doc

TTYL
Ernie
Giant Veggies

9/2/2003 6:34:39 PM

Garden

I knew I'd get flamed for such a newbie question. I imagined you guys get asked about watering quite a bit.
Oh well, at least it was a creative jab- Thanks doc!
No rubbers in the garden yet. I am developing a sort of groupie following asking about my pumpkin, so maybe in the near future I'll get to show the plants how we humans pollinate. I'll keep you posted, and thanks for the additional advice.

9/3/2003 3:40:22 AM

Covington, WA

When the Canada geese in you patch won't migrate.

9/3/2003 1:31:58 PM

Garden

Any more?

9/4/2003 4:02:35 PM