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Connecticut, USA

I am already compiling a list of things to do better next year...

On the top of the list is mulching. I didn't do it this year because I heard too many stories about bugs hiding in it. Now I have a lot of bugs hiding in my weeds!

I know I can use straw, I used it last year.. but has anyone used pine bark mulch? Aside from making the garden look really nice, I think this mulch will decompose fast enough for the next season. Anyone using this stuff in their patch? Will it adversly affect the pH of the soil?

Thanks,

John D.

7/11/2000 10:01:43 PM

Commack, NY

i know pine needles are supposed to be acidic when they break down, but i'm not sure about the bark. maybe you could try to get some decomposed stuff from somewhere and test its ph with one of those store bought testers, just an idea.
scott

7/12/2000 8:57:18 AM

Roanoke Il

Every thing I've read on pumpkin growing sugests not using any kind of mulch. If it is weed you are worried about keep the tiller out. Till every 3or4 days around the plant make sure not to get to close to the plant. This kept the weeds down for me.By tilling you bring the weed seeds up and the sun will cook alot of them. when the plant gets bigger it will shade alot of them. But farmer scott is right If you go that rout to save on water test you soil.

7/12/2000 1:17:01 PM

Conception Junction, Mo.

Bury some in the corner of your patch and see what it looks like in the spring.

7/12/2000 2:37:00 PM

PA

How about Preen? has anybody tried this.I rototilled for a while but the plants go out way to far for me to want to till. The hoe is ok but these roots are shallow and I'm not sure about how much damage I'm doing.
Amy

7/12/2000 5:28:08 PM

Rhode Island, USA

This is my second year using pine bark multch on my patch. I lay it on 2 - 3 inches thick, and I never see a weed. My soil pH was 6.1 in November 1999; I'll check again in the fall, and we'll see then!

7/12/2000 7:36:46 PM

Connecticut, USA

James, I saw in your diary that you were using a dark mulch, but wasn't sure what kind it was.

Thanks to all for the info.

7/12/2000 10:04:38 PM

Connecticut, USA

Amy, I wondered about Preen too. Has anybody tried this? It contains a chemical that prevents seeds from sprouting but is not supposed to harm existing plants. I use it around my shrubs.

7/13/2000 8:56:51 PM

Kentucky - USA

Hi,
I have been growing the bush type pumpkins for the last 4 or 5 years. I've found the dark shredded mulch works great for the vines but you may not want to let it lay beneath the pumpkins. It seems like they start to rot faster if the mulch is under them.

Also I would like to thank everybody for the great tips I have got off this message board for growing large pumpkins. This is my first year that I've had any sucess to get a large pumpkin type vine to grow..

7/13/2000 9:20:51 PM