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New Brunswick

I have my green houses up and was wondering about the use of straw as mulch. I know that the vines set down root systems....and was wondering if the straw will interfere with this? Last year I managed to break off the main stump of one plant and the pumpkin continued to grow just from being fed from the outlying vines and their roots. I want the pumpkin to be fed from all sources and am concerned about this.

5/26/2003 7:32:02 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Straw mulching will interfere with secondary rooting if the mulch is under the vine; it won't if it is over the earth over the vine.

Don

5/26/2003 8:48:34 AM

New Brunswick

Thank you...I suspected as much. Unfortunately, the weeds will have a good start by the time the vines are grown. Oh well....at least with the straw, I will only have to pull the weeds once. (: One is supposed to bury the vines anyway....and I have lots of manure already in the bed for that purpose.

5/26/2003 10:53:12 AM