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Medina, OH

I was reading a paper I downloaded from the Port Elgin folks. It said to dig an organic nutrient pit 5 x 5 x 3 and fill with various organic material. What do you all do? Is this too deep? I was thinking that even though the roots may not normally go down more than 12-18 inces, maybe that's because good soil usually doesn't exist deeper than that. Also, with my clay-type soil, digging down deeper would allow better drainage around the stump. Thanks, Kurt.

12/8/2001 8:01:40 PM

Puyallup, WA

Kurt,
As I have shared before on this forum, I,too, have heavy clay soil in the top two feet in my patch. I was desperate
after as disasterous 2000 season, so I decided to dig(by hand) a "pit" of 16' X 16' and 20" deep for each of my four planting sites. I then layered compost, manure and top soil along with fertilizers and gypsum forming a slight mound. I am convinced that this made the major difference in my vastly improved season. No longer did I have "puddles" of water standing on the surface of my patch. BTW, I measured the length of the secondary roots near the main trunk and found them to be 18" long. I've read where some have measured their roots to be much longer.
The further away from the main trunk, the shallower they become. I hope that this information helps.

Stan

12/9/2001 1:08:37 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I also have clay subsoil.I wouldn't know what a pumpkin was if one fell out of the sky and landed on my head but i've dug plenty of holes,what happens is water and nutrients from the surrounding area drain into the hole and stay there so if you live in a low rainfall area this would give the plant a moisture reservior. I live in a high rainfall area and it doesn't work so well here early on its like trying to plant in a garden pond.I've grown long carrots half above ground and half below and they change colour at soil level because of the differance in soil T, bright orange above pale below which shows that its a differant world down there.I have no idea which is best for anybody I'm just saying what happens so you can bear it in mind when you dig your hole.

12/9/2001 1:34:30 AM

Long Island,New York

AXC...I would be very interested in hearing more about the long carrots...how to grow, what seed to use, tricks etc... i have limited space here in my yard and raised beds etc are a definite possibility. I want to try other competeive fruits and carrots have interested me for these reasons for a year or so now.Im sure others would love to hear more too....how about filling us in with some info? I suggest we go to the "other gardening board"....thanks !...Glenn

12/9/2001 8:56:18 AM

Medina, OH

I guess I'll be digging holes until the whole patch is in good shape. For next year, I guess the 5 x 5 hole will have to do. I will try digging along where the main vine will grow in the spring. I wonder if my wife would buy me a dump truck for Christmas....

12/9/2001 7:57:54 PM

comstock Park Mi

My soil here is Clay to and hold to much water. Even by digging a big deep hole you might not get better drainage. After your hole is dug fill it with water, if it takes more then 30min to drain you will start to rot the roots (lack of oxygen). I use mounds 1-2 feet high and 10’ in Dia. It worked great for my 2nd year, from 374# my first year to 940 & 856 this year to 1300 lbs in 2002.

12/10/2001 10:57:28 AM

Medina, OH

Joe, if you plot a second order polynomial using the data you gave, your next year will be 1572 pounds- don't sell yourself short! LOL

12/10/2001 11:35:59 AM