From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Monrovia, CA

I've noticed a few growers simply throw a sheet over the pumpkin for shade. Is it necessary to build a shade structure or is this unnecessary?

Thanks and Good luck to everyone!
Autumnleaf

8/22/2007 12:16:16 PM

Georgia

Once you use a sheet youll never go back. Pap and Sherry Larue turned me on to this method and it works like a charm.

8/22/2007 12:32:40 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I agree that the sheet is easy, and I use it myself. But if you have a real big one going and want to protect it from excess moisture that could get some rot started, then a tarp to shed the rain is a good idea.

8/22/2007 1:43:07 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I've gone with the sheet method too and when the weather gets foul, I just put a large umbrella over top to protect from the wet...works fine.

8/22/2007 2:51:54 PM

Monrovia, CA

I've put the sheets on top of a structure but if I can eliminate having to build a structure next season that would be great!!

Thanks everyone!

8/22/2007 3:58:20 PM

Rhode Island

sheets over the fruit on a hot sunny day. no sheets on a cloudy day.
at night when temp is under 60 we sheet, blanket and lay a thin piece of tarp over the blanket to keep any dew or rain from soaking the blanket.
in september when the sun is farther away we usually inless its a really hot day just leave them uncovered in the day time to help mature the fruit and change its skin color
pap

8/22/2007 7:33:51 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Make sure the sheet is a tight weave. Even a sheet lets a little light through to harden your punkie's skin prematurely.

8/23/2007 8:39:19 AM

Rexburg, Idaho

I overhead water and it makes the sheets wet and they stay wet all day long. A set up for mold/rot/bad things. I tried the sheet thing for about a week earlier this year and then broke down and put up the shade structures.

8/23/2007 8:47:58 AM

southwest MO

I use 90% shade cloth. Set it and for get it.

8/23/2007 9:53:42 AM

Westford, MA

What do I do with the Hole the umbrella made??
Captan and Putty???

8/23/2007 11:12:50 AM

ha ha
Some successful growers I know don't cover with anything, but they are a minority I believe.
The sheets are especially nice when the fruit are young - they help protect from hail damage, leaf scratches, Brigitte scratches, etc, as well as the sun.

8/23/2007 11:38:14 AM