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Greene County, Pa.

I went out this morning and cut the leaf off that was touching my 1076.5 fruit. Now I need to make some shade. The pumpkin is now a bit over 110 OTT. Any suggestions for the design of a shade structure?

7/10/2004 7:35:01 AM

White Plains, NY

Deck/Beach umbrellas. Metal re-rod in the ground for support.

7/10/2004 8:36:11 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

rebar and PVC pipe in a hoophouse-type design. throw a tarp over it and clip/strap/tie/tape down to the frame

7/10/2004 9:28:36 AM

Ga.

Buddy,,ya should have already had some type of shade over your fruit..The sun will bake her,,and the skin will toughen up...Do it today,,dont wait.....
Jeff

7/10/2004 10:52:31 AM

Joliet, IL

you can take 6 pieces of 5' or 6' rebar and put 2 on
the center area on both sides of the kin that will act
as the top of a roof so to speak. the high point
connections. then put 2 on each side of those for the
low point connections. connect the tarp to the rebar stakes
with tie wire and now you have a pitched roof over your
pumpkin so the water drains away from the kins and the
center connections higher than the outside connections
will create nice air flow around and under your tarp
for the kin to avoid fungus and over heating. don't hammer
the rebar in the ground because you might have to readjust
the cover as the pumpkin grows. just use your weight to
push in deep and that way you will still be able to remove
them to adjust them. also the rebar has notched grooves
to hold the connections firmly, but it is easy to unwrap
the wire to lower or lift the outside connections as
you see fit with the shifting sun or for adjusting the
pitch for drainage reasons. watch out so you don't push
the rebar through a buried vine too. cheap and easy
system that works fine.

7/10/2004 11:21:31 AM

Indiana

I just make a 5 by 5 square out of 2x4's and put 2x2 legs on it make 2 legs shorter on one side and staple a tarp to the top the shorter legs make the water drain off one side. Simple and inexpensive and still allows good airflow.

7/10/2004 1:26:11 PM

Western Pa.

Throwing a towel or sheet over them also works fine. I used to build the structures, till I found out Al Eaton just covered them if he didn't feel like building structures!

7/10/2004 8:25:48 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Only problem with a sheet or blanket (I've done it too), is that the stem can get into trouble if it gets wet alot from rain, watering....

7/10/2004 9:22:18 PM

Key West, FL

I just do the blanket until I'm sure on which fruit I'm growing.

7/11/2004 1:28:08 AM

[email protected]

I just put my shade huts up today, I will upload some pics later tonite for viewing. These are a necessity, but doesnt have to be elaborate. I use 4 5 ft stakes, pound them into the ground, 50 inch square.. put blue tarp over it and staple to the posts. It maintains air flow, and also keeps the sun off the skin.

7/11/2004 8:39:05 PM

Key West, FL

sounds similar to what I do

7/11/2004 8:55:07 PM

Dagobah Ohio, USA

I purchase a 6' X 50' roll of weed blocker. I double that over and tuck it around the pumpkin.
seems to be working well.

7/12/2004 4:49:30 PM