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Rhode Island

heres a tip for the grower who wants to take no chances with impacted soil holding up the progress of his plant and or root and pumpkin development.
we have two garden forks which every third day after vine burying and dead ending are put to good use.
we work the garden fork into the soil starting a few feer away fron the edge of secondaries.
we depress the forks into the ground and rock the handle back gently creating additional air pockets in the soil.
works well and if your gentle about it no roots get damaged.
my fork is almost new, rons has the paint worn off the handle lol
pap

7/4/2007 7:13:20 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Good advice pap...how about using a u-bar digger? I see a pumpkin plant in the background and the person does look like an unknown grower.

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=10521&cat=2,42578,40769&ap=1

7/4/2007 9:40:24 PM

Somers, CT

Notice the beer cans in the background. I think you may be correct. Thanks for the tip PAP. I have understood that soft soil is best for GP growth.

7/5/2007 4:30:51 PM

Georgia

Are you talking about using a pitchfork??

7/5/2007 4:57:57 PM

Rhode Island

no a garden fork. a pitch fork is to frail for sticking into a semi hard surface

7/5/2007 7:29:38 PM

Midwest

pap: how far down? Can't afford a fork - using a shovel with a standard 6" blade. Turning over the soil in front of growing vines. Is this ok? I may be killin worms but the robins love them! Thanks for the post - good advise!
Greg

7/6/2007 12:35:31 AM

President - GPC

Well that certainly would take care of any roots that got in the way. I think Paps is gentley lifting the soil, not turning it completely upside down. The garden forks are about $20 and are perferred two to one by worms .....lol

7/6/2007 8:46:45 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Here is a picture of a garden fork:

http://www.rlarson.com/Product/garden/G302500.jpg

You stick it into thesoil about 8 inches then lean down on the handle *slightly*. For sure we're not trying to turn the earth over.

I've seen these things at yard sales for $3.00 & less
Flea markets have new Chinese forks for $10
Lowe's has a nice one for $19.93

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=90630-302-18-940&lpage=none

7/6/2007 9:44:12 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Looks like a potato diggin thingy!!!!! Peace, Wayne

7/6/2007 11:03:49 PM

Minnesota

I use the more traditional aproach, I look for a stick and try and loosen up the ground, that way the water gets absorbed, it just does'nt roll away from the plant.

7/7/2007 9:00:31 PM

Midway City, California

PAP Thanks for the information I brought A Garden Fork
at a garage sale for 2 dollars then I hung it on the wall
for six years as I did not know what to use it for. Used it to day using your instructions with good results.
Thanks John = Water

7/8/2007 5:17:15 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

2 bucks is a great deal, I think I paid $4 for a good replacement handle for my 40 year old model..

7/9/2007 1:21:41 AM