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North Ga

I am planning on using sand under my 1500#er next year, but it will probably spread out to cover some vines as well. Will sand hurt my vines in anyway?

11/2/2001 8:39:28 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Most likely not Pappy, with a 1500lber, the vine will be o.k with the sand. Just remember to bring its swimsuit, sand toys, and sunscreen.

11/2/2001 9:23:07 AM

Ga.

hmmm,,,pappy,if you get a 1500,,I'm gonna get a 1502,,lol...amazing what collards and turnips will do for ag's!

11/2/2001 10:42:29 AM

canal winchester ohio

Hey Pappy,
Here is a idea for ya to help with that problem.
When you bury your vines you bury the "whole" vine, the only thing you should see above ground is the leaf & blossom. The best way to do this is plan where the vines are going to go before they get there. Once the main is going in the right direction & 2ndary's are growing you dig a trench in the direction the vine is growing ( I dig mine 4-5" deep) then as the vine grows & leaves & flowers come up high enough you backfill in the trench & your vine should be about 3" under the ground. As you see a female form you trench shallower so the female falls on ground level, then once the female has hit the ground you start deeper again past the female . Now if for some reason the pumpkin is going to grow over a vine ( and make sure it is not a vine that will prevent the main vine from rising with the fruit) all you will have to do is snip off a couple of leaves at ground level where the vine is going to be grown over, place some sand over that spot ( about 2")
And now the spot of the vine in question is about 5" under the pumpkin & is safe.
I hope I didn't confuse anyone, I tried to explain the best I could. Being someone who grows in small plots , trust me when I say this works very well.......Paul

11/2/2001 2:11:25 PM

North Ga

That makes a lot of sense Paul, but I wonder if I should dig the trench a little deeper and line the bottom with an inch or so of sand. That way there will be a little better drainage and less of a chance of the vine laying in standing water at the bottom of the trench? Thanks for anymore feedback.

11/2/2001 2:25:20 PM

canal winchester ohio

Pappy,
If when you till your garden it goes 6-8" , being buried only 3-4" will not cause any problem.
I wouldn't use sand at the bottom of the trench as it might inhibit growth of roots on the vine, which is the main point of burying to start with.
You want as many taproots as possible.......Paul

11/2/2001 2:44:36 PM

North Ga

Ok Paul, I got ya. Thanks for the info. Got it all on my to do list.

11/2/2001 2:50:34 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Does the type of sand change anything? All We get is Sterilized playsand for the kid's sandbox. Tom

11/2/2001 8:10:09 PM

canal winchester ohio

All I've ever used is playsand, I take the old out of the kids sandbox for the pumpkins. Then put in new for them.......Paul

11/3/2001 5:30:28 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

I wonder if my kids will notice that their sands dissappears more rapidly next year. Tom

11/3/2001 8:25:51 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

the only thing I have found wrong with using sand, is my damn cats using it for a litter box. Nothing like having to watch out for these unwanted surprises laying around. I will have to throw a few more dirt clods at them I guess. lol.....Carrie

11/4/2001 11:11:56 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

Watch those dirt clods.....That cats get the mice the cats get the mice. Tom

11/4/2001 8:36:59 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

around here they have plenty of mice to eat. I just wish they would leave my pumpkin patch alone. But seriously I really love my kitty's and would not hurt them, after all, they sleep with my husband and I at night, and they keep my feet warm. lol

11/4/2001 11:14:53 PM

Greencastle, PA

shot them with a squirt gun if you catch them doing that. lol.
Tom

11/5/2001 9:57:33 AM

Greencastle, PA

P.S. my cat pounces on my feet and bites them at night, he's so evil.
Tom

11/5/2001 9:58:17 AM