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Kenyon, Mn.

Question Directed at growers close to my area.
The date to "plant out" squash varieties for this zone is May 10th. The date most mentioned here to start indoors is April 27th. Are we gaining that much growth time...really? If I still provided shelter and supplemental heat, would it put me that far behind? I have started in 2 gallon pots and planters with removable bottoms before and had poor results compared to starting out, The Plant started inside had not encompassed all the starting mix and much broke away, even with gentle handling. although I wasn't worried about making the local weigh-off ,like I am this year

4/20/2004 10:51:58 AM

Eveleth MN

possibly use a smaller pot? I've had good luck with the 1/2 gallon Ice cream carton trick, at about 10 days old (first true leaf just starting) the roots are just at the point of holding the soil together, but not "root bound".

4/20/2004 6:09:11 PM

when i transplant out of the pots this year, i'm going to try to slip the bottom off the pot and set it in the planting hole. then, if the plant isn't wider than the container, i should be able to fill in the planting hole around the tube that the pot makes, then wiggle the pot right up out of the ground. that way, most of the roots aren't even exposed to the air; as soon as the plastic slips off, they are in their new dirt.

4/21/2004 3:13:02 PM

Kenyon, Mn.

Thanks for your responses,And Brigitte, I might agg that the moisture of the container is important to keep it all together. The Question though is: are we gaining that much of an advantage by starting in, seeing as there is only a matter of 2 weeks time involved from 4/27 till 5/10 ?

4/22/2004 7:41:16 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

Geez, ADD "not agg"(have ag on the mind)LOL

4/22/2004 7:42:26 AM