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Fresno, Ca

I know there is always controversy on wether you dig a pit or not but if you decide to dig a pit would it be better to dig a larger pit that was more shallow (2-3ft)? Or a smaller pit that was deeper (3-4+Ft)? How far down will an AG taproot go?

2/26/2009 10:48:32 PM

SE Minnesota

I had a tap root that was only 6-8" deep this year but it ran the entire length of the main!!! Going to try the bigger area with less depth, per David Bhaskaran

thanks Dave

2/26/2009 11:16:49 PM

Rochester, MN

I'm thinking maybe 1.5 ft..with maybe deeper right around the stump area...for about 10 ft diameter...versus last years...8ft and 2ft deep...if I look at the cubic feet...for these 2 cyclinders...hpir2...I get 100 cu feet for old way and 117 for new way...so I'm also increasing my volume by 17%...hmmmm...I might need more compost and cow manure!!!

2/27/2009 12:55:39 AM

Lloydminster/AB

I think root depth depends on soil temp and moisture levels. My main roots stay in the top 6-8 inches and will run until they run out of space 20+ feet always. I'd be interested in measuring root depth in different climates . I would guess that they require a certain temp of soil and depth therefore would vary.

2/27/2009 2:06:14 PM

huntsburg,ohio

unless your in sand or put in drainage no pits go up.Jerry

2/27/2009 3:16:28 PM

Fresno, Ca

My summer temperatures get pretty hot frequently above 100. I also have quite the hardpan layer, I have to use a pick and digging bar then shovel out the 3-4 inches of material and start over. Once I get down a little further than 3 feet the digging gets easier and I seem to get through the hardpan. I am diging a pit about 3-4 feet away from a pit I had previously dug so I think I will be ambitous and dig out the 3-4 feet as well to join the pits and have one giant pit! My patch has boundaries of a sidewalk and fence so I remove the 50-75% of the hardpan and back fill with good stuff and compost.

2/27/2009 5:58:15 PM

Fresno, Ca

Pumpkin Lisa:

By the time I'm Done.... Smelly Pits!

2/27/2009 5:58:47 PM

huntsburg,ohio

just remember the way your soil sounds like your gonna have a pond when it rains.Jerry

2/27/2009 7:24:34 PM

Fresno, Ca

I live in Central California. Luckily it doesn't rain during pumpkin season! Also I water with drip so I didn't have any problems with drainage. I do have some drains on the edge and end of the patch though. Once I break through the hard pan it seems to drain through the bottom.

2/27/2009 7:50:30 PM

San Diego

I live in hot san diego, over 100 many times too. Never used a pit, don't think there is a need. My roots stay shallow from observation, just a good cooling system. Why do all that work for little to no benefit?

2/27/2009 8:08:23 PM

Elmira, N,Y,

my hard pan is 4 1/2 to 5 feet down, I found that out the hard way. would it be ok to dig a pit?

2/27/2009 8:18:42 PM

milford, CT,

Seedguy..the only thing I do around the area I am planting is pitchfork down to loosen the soil and I add some worm castings to the area. Treat the whole patch as a whole..the seedling quickly outgrows the initial 3-6 feet circumference of "the pit" and it needs a whole patch to maximise the potential of the fruit. Mark

2/27/2009 8:22:08 PM

Columbus,ohio

I did a pit because I read to do it on a out dated pumpkin website.. It is not worth the work...I had hardpan...Like it would have broken my shovel if I tried to dig it..I put lots of manure down and Now the clay under is loostning...I am not a expert but I didn't go well...No pumpkin over 10 lbs..My bad info didn't help either

2/27/2009 9:04:45 PM

Fresno, Ca

Duster: What do you do for a good cooling system? I have to Fogger lines one on each side of patch. I am probably going to add another this year diagonally over the top. My drip is on timers to run during the heat of the day.

2/27/2009 10:27:49 PM

Woburn, MA.

Jerry, How big of a mound do use for your pumpkins?

2/27/2009 10:48:46 PM

San Diego

I used fogger systems my first couple of years, but the seemed to always get clogged and it was very complicated with all of the hoses, etc. I switched to a microsprinkler on a timer that is about 4 feet up on a stake. There are various kinds of microsprinklers with various spray coverage. I used one sprinkler that did a 20 by 20 area, about 35 gallons per hour. It is simple, easy to use, and does a good job. I use dripworks.

2/27/2009 11:31:23 PM

huntsburg,ohio

600 ft x 60 ft my whole patch is a mound i have it crowned in the middle and slopes down toward edges gets rid of water nicely in spring.Jerry

2/28/2009 8:26:27 AM

Joliet, IL

no pits here. if anything raise your planting spots by crowning similar to what jerry said but also in an individual basis. i do a final spring till and then mark my exact planting spots. i then rake an extra 8" of tilled soil in about a 10' diameter section that slopes from +8" right on planting spot and sloped gradually. this slightly raised area will now have your orignally tilled 8" depth plus 8" extra right at your planting spot. 16" is plenty for the stump tap and it will make a turn when it hits harder ground. this method means no pooling of groundwater under your stump which is deadly. also the raised 8" crown at planting spots will heat up faster in the spring like a raised bed, and also helps drain water. you can also double dig or double till under your planting spots by removing 8 or 10 inches of soil, till the lower layer and replace the 8-10 inches back. ideally the whole patch should be one big uniformally ammended well draining patch.

2/28/2009 3:27:35 PM

Woburn, MA.

Thanks Jerry

3/13/2009 9:24:58 PM

Pataskala,OH

Wide and Deep.

3/14/2009 4:14:01 PM

Newmarket, NH USA

Use caution deep pits can fill up with water and rot you roots out if you have a clay base make sure you have nice drainage. High om soil can act like a sponge in this case.

4/23/2009 8:27:50 AM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

I use pits because there are so many rocks in our patch that it offers enough drainage, even after a heavy rainstorm, I don't get mud. Therefore, pits can be beneficial if your soil is proper for them. I dug mine about 3ft by 3ft this year. Still filling them, late I know, but we are filling with soil, cow manure and peat moss.

4/30/2009 10:25:09 AM