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Location

Message

Date Posted

Lakewood, Colorado

Ok, what is mill fabric, and where do I get it? I see it mentioned for use under the pumpkin.
Thanks, Erik

6/20/2011 1:24:26 PM

Springfield, VT

It is a nylon mesh fabric used in paper mills, it is fairly thick and allows for water drainage. Try the extreeme pumpkin store to purchase.

6/20/2011 2:54:30 PM

Lakewood, Colorado

Done and ordered. Shipping is super expensive on that stuff. Must be rigid and doesn't fold down.

6/20/2011 3:21:33 PM

Navarre,OH

Never thought about it but I do work at a paper mill. I may have to find me some! =)

6/20/2011 5:50:50 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Billium, work at a paper mill? Find us awl sum!!! Ask around & let us know what they do with the used up mill fabric!!! Please!!!
PS...there are different types of mill fabric (that I have seen). I have & currently use the fairly thin (approx canvas type thickness) tan colored fabric. & think someone on this site sells a thicker type of mill fabric. The basic idea, is to allow water to flow thru & prevent uglies (moisture & rodents) from below to do damage...play sand (the white stuff) is used a lot to do the same thing as mill fabric! Peace, Wayne

6/21/2011 2:19:45 AM

Ashby, MA

Hi Wayne, how much play sand do people usually put down under a pumpkin? What I was thinking of trying is using a 4'x4'x3/4" pressure treated plywood but then put about 4" of sand on top of that then the pumpkin. Without the plywood I worry that rodents will still make it through the play sand.

6/21/2011 10:03:42 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

gpierce, I'd drill numerous small holes in that plywood for drainage. People like the mill fabric because it is tough and porous.

If you go to equiptment for sale you'll see people selling it.

6/21/2011 10:27:24 AM

Ashby, MA

I just checked it out on the extreme pumpkin store and the price + shipping was reasonable. I'll probably go that route. I thought it was going to be more money than that.

Now, what about putting sand on top of the fabric to help the pumpkin slide a little easier to keep from getting a cavity?

6/21/2011 10:33:21 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

gpierce yes you have the right idea. Sand on top of the mill fabric allows you to rotate the pumpkin and avoid stem stress as needed. The sand works as ball bearings in addition to draining well.

6/21/2011 1:27:58 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

We sell Mill Fabric at the Extreme Pumpkin Store, it is going fast, a lot of damand for it this time of the season.
We usually use two pieces per pkn, it makes sliding the fruit very easy.

6/21/2011 1:43:31 PM

Buffalo, New York

i was told 2 pieces works well.....i only use 1 piece per fruit. My fruit dont get big enough to need 2 to move.

6/21/2011 1:57:47 PM

Rapid City, SD

jeremy..........maybe we should use 3 pieces........lol

6/21/2011 3:49:51 PM

Navarre,OH

I'll have to see what can I find, its fairly thick cause we make corrugated paper(cardboard/kraft paper).
I thought about using screen from screen doors. Not the regular stuff but the extra thick stuff that called "pet proof" screens. Its alot thicker than regular nylon screens. The weave on screens are very similar to the mill fabrics we use.

6/21/2011 8:31:23 PM

Midwest

Are we supposed to use play sand or construction grade?

6/23/2011 12:33:17 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Our dear friend, Steve Jepsen (Tremor) has a definite opinion on this. The following are "cut & pastes" from his posts on the message boards.

6/30/09: "Play sand is like beach sand. Its too round to provide good support. Builders sand is more angular & will provide for a better (flatter) bottom. In the perfect world, I would build a stable base of builders sand, then mill fabric, with play sand on the fabric to act like ball bearings. This permits for easier vine adjustments than just sand and/or wood alone."

7/22/10: "Builders sand (3-6" deep), then pulp mill fabric, then a dusting of play sand. Builders sand gives a firm base, mill fabric is mouse proof, play sand is rounder so acts like bearings, making the ultimate scootchable effect for relieving vine stress."

They say the same thing, but in honor of Tremor, I thought I'd print both of them.

6/23/2011 11:20:38 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Thanks for the post Nana, good info and my hat is off to you for keeping Steves info alive and circulating.

6/23/2011 7:45:29 PM

Navarre,OH

Something happen to Steve that I'm not aware about?

6/24/2011 8:00:59 PM