From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Choctaw, OK

I was wondering what kind of contraption i can build to shade my pumpkin? I have found out that shading really helps. And what kind of material do some of you growers put under your pumpkin while it is growing, or do none of you do this? like a tarp or carpet or something of that nature. Any info would be appreciated.
Casey

5/18/2000 10:52:07 PM

Commack, NY

casey,
good questions!! well, i sort of,hmm, how can i put this, "borrowed" an idea from looking through the pages of HTGWCGP II and i saw jack larue's shade structure. i made my own, very similar. i used pieces of pvc, anchored to the ground with 2' sections of rebar, and placed a tarp over head. it kept the sun off, and water off as well.
as far as putting something underneath the fruit, i highly recommend it, i lost a 680est, in '98 because a rodent of some sort burrowed underneath. last year i used a piece of quarter inch plywood, which was recommended to me by ron wallace. the benefit of the plywood is that you can move the pumpkin to adjust the stem, just by moving the wood slightly. also, put a piece of plastic sheeting between the wood and the pumpkin so that moisture that is absorbed by the wood from the ground doesn't come in contact with the fruit. you may also want to put some sand on top of the plastic, so that the fruit can "slide" as it expands.

scott

5/19/2000 2:02:44 PM