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Bellingham, WA

Greetings,
This is my first year going for the big one. I have kind of a strange situation/question...

I live in a city near Seattle WA, and have only a small lot. I have a garden about 3'x12', with a southfacing garage wall right behind it, and a large parking spot right in front. This setup is great for growing things we typically can not grow here because of the intense heat/sun (relative to the PNW).

My pumpkin is doing great. It's about 9' long, has several females which I will be pollinating this weekend, and has plenty of room to grow. So my question is... what should I do to protect the pumpkin? I will use shade clothe, but what about underneath? I don't imagine pavement is the best thing to have it sitting on. I was thinking a pallet, with a cedar slab on top to discourage rot/pests. Any better ideas?

Thanks!

Good luck to everyone this year!

PumpkiNate

6/16/2007 10:59:53 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Maybe you could use some of the artificial turf. You could even put that on top of some plywood. I dont know if a pallet would deter any pests, but you do want to keep it off the hot pavement.

6/16/2007 11:12:52 AM

Ohio

Throw down a couple inches of dirt on the pavement and grow on top of the dirt, and when done growing in October sweep the dirt up and park the car back where its supose to be,lol. I dunno what eles you could do, JRO has a good idea aswell, but if you want roots at your nodes throw down some dirt.

Brooks

6/16/2007 4:28:00 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Come to think about it, you could put a row of pallets like you said, but cover the sides and fill with dirt. Then mound dirt over vine and let the roots go down into the pallet. Maybe even throw a soaker hose through the pallet prior to filling with dirt.

6/16/2007 5:23:08 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

If your going to put dirt down on the pavement spend a few bucks and put some think styrofoam on first to help the dirt from getting to hot. You could also erect some wire mesh on the garage and let leaves grow on the side of your garage. sand under your pumpkin will work well and the tiny critters don't like hot sand on their feet.

6/17/2007 7:47:56 PM

Bellingham, WA

Good stuff, thanks.

Don't want to actually turn my parking spot into a seasonally raised bed, but I do like the idea of either pallet/astroturf or sand for the underside of the pumpkin. I have considered letting the vines climb the wall, we'll have to see about that one.

I know it all sounds a bit goofy, but it's working really well so far.

6/19/2007 4:58:39 PM

Liberal Ks.

if i run out of room on the main line should i cut it off or let in run in the shade

6/20/2007 2:51:38 PM