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Follansbee, Wv

I have access to a couple of tons of fresh cow manure mixed with hay. Normally, I would compost this well away from the garden to prevent live hay seed from sprouting in the garden. However, I know that a lot of nutrients from a compost pile leach into the soil beneath it. I was wondering if I composted the manure directly over the projected pumpkin planting sites, would the benifits out-weigh the weed risk? I run a 'hot' pile, but there is never any guarantee that all weed seeds will be killed.

Also, I am designing a drip system. About how many gallons of water should I plan to use each week on a 1000 sq ft patch supporting two plants?

Final question for this round: I think 1000 sq ft will support two plants nicely, but would 1000 sq ft per plant be benificial enough to bother?

This site has been very friendly. Thanks for all the help so far!

9/25/2004 6:27:18 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

I add 3-4 yds cow manure every season to a 1200 sq ft patch for two plants. It doesn't have much straw in it so I can't answer that question. The watering requirements are obviously soil condition and weather dependant. You might plan on 200/gals/day all factors considered. Great results have been recorded on small patch sizes. Best of luck!

9/25/2004 8:31:43 PM

Cincinnati,OH

500 sq ft per plant is common. I was looking through some data and this one stood out. 1157 Wernner, 4 lobes, pollinated 9' out, 362 sq ft plant. Grown from the 845 Bobier. Talk about grower skill.

9/26/2004 1:20:49 PM

Taber, Alberta

I just grew a 716 lb pumpkin in my second year on 375 square feet of soil. I would have liked more(up to about 500) but the fence and sidewalk kept getting in the way...LOL It can be done with good plant management. Good luck.
Alan

9/27/2004 12:12:12 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Wow! 716, Holy cow!
I have done some juggling over the weekend and cleared the last 1000 sq ft I have available. The soil in the field I use as a garden is very acidic. The first year I had it tested revealed a pH of 4.7! What a rough year for gardening that was! I have found that dolomitic hydrated lime works very quickly to boost pH. However, I plan to give the pumpkins space in the main garden, since that soil should be well balanced and will require little lime if any. Soil samples finally go out today, hopefully I get the results back quickly.
200 gallons of water a day? ARGH! Back to the drawing board on the drip system. More barrels...more barrels..

9/27/2004 8:25:38 AM

Puyallup, WA

4000# of manure spread over 1000 sq.ft. might go on about 3" thick. Just till it in good this fall. Fall is the best time to add manure to your patch. Manure has to break down before many of the nutrients are available to the plant roots.

10/3/2004 3:36:17 AM