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Michigan

So, I have a pumpkin! Yay! Now I must keep it alive! So, I've heard you need to put something under it. I went and bought some sort of landscaping material that said it let water through right on the package. It lies! I put some under my pumpkin, then went to water. Some water got on the material and it didn't do through... At all. It just sat on top of it in little globes. (It did look cool, but that's not what I want!)What should I put under it?

Also - when it gets bigger, cover it with a blanket right?

7/20/2010 8:40:49 AM

Charlotte, NC

I heard sand does well. It allows easy shifting/rotating if necessary and also drains really well. Although if you plan on travelling with it, a pallet to lift it on may be better with a couple blankets or mats between the pallet and the pumpkin.
i'm a rookie, so others my chime in here to correct me.

7/20/2010 9:53:16 AM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

Do you have it covered now? If not, it would be best if you covered with something to protect it from the sun. A white sheet works fine for me.

Sand works for a bed.

When its cold at night covering it with blankets before it gets cools is a good idea.

7/20/2010 1:50:37 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Ranger, if you don't have mill cloth to put under yer pkn, get, the fine grained "white" type sand! Finer grain sand, and allows yer Slunger, to slide easier!! Shade Protection, is to help it age slower, and allow for expansion of skin, as yer Slunger grows...too much sun, will age the skin of yer pkn faster!! Be inventive and build a shade structure over yer Nu-B!!! Peace, Wayne

7/21/2010 1:03:24 AM

Michigan

Alright, sand, easy enough. But won't that ruin my dirt? It's bad enough as it is! XD

7/22/2010 1:37:33 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Ranger, the amount of sand you are gonna put under yer Slunger, next spring will get tilled in, and will be a very minor addition to yer total garden. It's purpose at this time, is to try and help keep the bottom of yer pkn dry...sand drains quickly!!! Plus a couple bonus items...pkn moves easier on fine grain sand!!! And mice, don't seem to like building nest's and chewin the bottom of yer pkn, if sand is there!!! Oh yeah, if you haven't already, remove that other stuff you bought!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

7/23/2010 12:11:44 AM

East Jordan, MI

In my opinion, sand WILL NOT hurt your soil. Even if you already have sandy soil. These things need good drainiage and sand is a good additive to get drainage. Unless you already have sandy soil, I would suggest to add sand as an ammendment.

7/23/2010 10:35:58 PM

South Hero, VT

Here's what many heavy hitters do: Put a thick bed of sand down; put mill cloth down on top of that(so mice don't burrow under and into your fruit); use a white sheet to cover your fruit 24 hours a day--when the sheet gets wet, replace it with a dry one after drying the pumpkin off and rinsing with a mild bleach solution.

I figure if it works for Steve Connolly, Joe Jutras, and Ron Wallace, it should work for others as well.

If you're worried about the sand, dig it up in the fall and add it to your compost pile.

7/24/2010 8:02:10 PM