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Penryn CA

I thought I had the pumpkin set enough on the mill fabric - now that it is growing , its backed up where a fourth of the pumpkin is on the dirt. Should I try to pull it forward somehow so it goes back on the mill fabric? Its 24 days old and heavy!

7/15/2020 1:38:25 AM

Central Illinois

They do not have to be on Fabric but its better if they are, sounds like you need to move fabric not the pumpkin

7/15/2020 6:28:42 AM

Central NY

Pumpkin party in the dirt behind the mill fabric!!,,,wooohoooo!....yea I read that wrong....scoot it under a little further if you can.

7/15/2020 7:58:19 AM

Springfield, VT

If you can move it without damaging it do it, otherwise clean out the soil at that end roll down the edge (if possible)of the mill fabric and out in play sand sand. The goal of rolling down the fabric is not to have an edge line on the fruit.

7/15/2020 10:11:21 AM

Western PA

As you are finding out, they grow in every direction. if you can get help, get the fabric back farther, under it. I had one in 2016 that had to be pulled out every week for 7 straight weeks with a come along.
Here is a good tip :
Put a stick in the ground about 1 inch either behind the stem or the vine, and watch as when it starts to touch the stick. When it touches you know its time to pull her back an inch or so. Go slow and only do this in late afternoon when vines are more pliable.

7/15/2020 12:40:36 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Most of my original 6ft pieces of mill fabric are cut into smaller ones at this point. You can add pieces by slipping one under the side of the existing sheet. The pumpkins can grow on rocks if they had to- they don’t notice a little seam on the bottom. Also, having a little bit of your pumpkins in the dirt is fine.

7/17/2020 10:57:29 AM

Penryn CA

Thank you everyone for your comments - very helpful.

7/26/2020 12:21:52 PM