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Omaha, Nebraska

I still need to put my tarp up over the Pumpkin. What color tarp and type provides best growth for a pumpkin. I heard tarp color can affect the Color of the pumpkin. I dont want Crazy to turn green!

Clint

8/2/2001 3:46:38 PM

Chester Co., PA

I like to use one of those silver (aluminized) traps or a solid cover to reflect all the direct sunlight and UV. It keeps the pumpkin cooler and the skin from hardening. Make sure there is ample room for air movement under the trap.

8/2/2001 6:13:20 PM

Chester Co., PA

Sorry, that should be silver tarp not trap.

8/2/2001 6:16:50 PM

Omaha, Nebraska

Wes

Would a blue Tarp or white plastic be better? Did your pumpkins stay orange under the Silver Tarp?

8/2/2001 6:19:26 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

HI C.C.:
I have had a brown tarp over my hoop house for 2 weeks now my pumpkin is still as yellow as it was when i put up the shelter.I don't use blue tarps anymore.silver or brownis fine,I almost bought a brown canvas tarp but they were 24.00$ at Home Depot.I beleave canvas would keep the fruit cooler because it's thicker,but the brown is working just fine.I don't honestly beleave that the tarp color has anything to do with fruit color. But who Knows!!.

8/2/2001 6:46:40 PM

Herndon, VA

The blue tarp that I tried was way too thin, and did not seem to shade the pumpkin enough. I could actually see the sun through the tarp, almost like looking through a pair of sunglasses. I thing the brown tarps are usually thicker, but you would have to compare the quality to be sure. My only reservation about brown is that it is a dark color which would absorb more heat from the sun. I prefer something that will reflect the heat; silver or white.

This year I used white Tyvek home wrap, donated by a friend. So far it is working very well. --Bruiser

8/2/2001 10:27:02 PM

Omaha, Nebraska

I got some white plastic. I think I will use that as the tarp starting tomorrow

8/2/2001 10:35:47 PM

Chester Co., PA

Dave, At this point I'm still trying to keep mine yellow. In this area, when the pumpkins turn from yellow to Orange the skin hardens and they are done growing. Yellow skin is soft and expandable. When they stop growing under the silver tarp you can always change to a porous screen or remove the shade completely. The increased sunlight will orange them right up.
I agree with Bruiser, blue tarps don't shade enough. Did you ever sit under a blue tarp? It's HOT like a greenhouse. I would think white plastic would have the same effect.

8/3/2001 10:58:06 AM

Puyallup, WA

We, in the Pacific Northwest, have not had to worry about what "tarp" to use! Our temperatures are considerably lower than normal this summer. Today it's raining and will peak out about 70°!

8/3/2001 11:48:37 AM

Sloughhouse, CA

I'm using the blue and/or tan sun shade cloth from Home Depot. I tie it to 4 T-posts or redwood posts.

8/5/2001 1:38:25 AM