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Monrovia, CA

Greetings all!! I'm having trouble finding those wide nylon factory belt things that alot of folks use under the their pumpkin to allow it to slide on when it grows. Has anyone ever tried one of those floor protector mats that you put under an office chair? They are about 5 feet square and are heavy plastic. Do you think the pumpkin could slide sufficiently on it? I'd also put it on top of some insulation foam to get it above ground level alittle. Any thoughts?

7/26/2007 12:59:12 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Sand....and plywood
They also make screen for screen doors that is really fine and should do the trick for you.

7/26/2007 1:11:52 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

If you put it on top of any type of foam it will not slide, it will sink into the foam and not move.....believe me we did this last year and its great to do if you are transporting a ways away to the weighoff but sliding it doesnt do.

7/26/2007 1:17:43 PM

Georgia

Shannon Ive used just plain plywood several times and never had any rotting of any type. Why do people also use sand?? Ive also had luck with insulation boards they have a slippery surface. I put one pumpkin on a board this year and I put a sheet of plastic on it. The trouble is theres a couple small creases on the plastic and its holding water. Tonight I have to some how get the plastic off and either just go plain wood or spread some sand on it. Another problem is the pumpkins estimated at 350 right now and my girlfreind just cant lift that.

7/26/2007 1:19:18 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Get a bigger girlfriend...........lol.

7/26/2007 1:57:07 PM

Georgia

Naah Ill pass on the bigger girlfreind. But I have found Insulation board with a slippy surface and I can jump on it and it doesnt crack. Im just confused on the whole slide thing. Im just a rookie this is my first year growing with real seeds. But I grew a 450 pounder last year and I just grew it on a peice of plywood.

7/26/2007 2:08:41 PM

Minnesota

Playground sand is very fine and acts as a thousand ball bearings, Allowing little resistance while the fruit expands. It just rolls over it, no friction. Also, WIth the sand underneath the pumpkin, Water will drain away from the fruit. How's that for my expert version on sand? I grow on the ground, Never had an issue.

7/26/2007 2:32:12 PM

Monrovia, CA

These are great suggestions. Shannon, I'm intrigued by the screen idea. It is aluminum so it won't rust and it would also act as a critter barrier. Have you actually used this before? I'm thinking of just putting it on top of some 2" insulation board.

7/26/2007 3:22:22 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

When you use sand, usually the pumpkin won't grow a cavity under the pumpkin, but remain flat, keeping the blossom end sticking out where it belongs. With most other surfaces, the pumpkin is so heavy that it can't slide and so it contorts into even odder shapes than they usually are.

7/26/2007 3:28:42 PM

Georgia

Autumleaf if your going the insulation board method theres actually some insulationboards that have a slippery surface. One question about sand I cant afford a bunch of sand I have twelve pumpkins set. Some are on plywood already would it be alright just to apply around the pumpkin? I mean some of the pumpkins theres no way I can lift. And do you have to use a real lot?

7/26/2007 4:04:58 PM

[email protected]

Rodents will chew through any kind of window screen except copper if you can find it.

7/26/2007 11:04:08 PM