From

Location

Message

Date Posted

New Richmond Wi

With the cooler nights ahead is it A good idea to cover pumpkins with A warm blanket at night?

9/20/2022 10:20:31 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Mine are covered.

9/20/2022 10:30:32 PM

Grittyville, WA

I dont know of a downside other than it might help a rodent feel safe.
That is my main concern with covering them, knock on wood... I like to remove the covers part of the time for this reason. Rats dont like seeing changes to their environment, plus hopefully the neighborhood cats can thwart any nefarious rodent plans.

9/20/2022 10:55:31 PM

Syracuse, NY

I got some king and queen mattress covers a couple years ago and couldn't find them last year, like 3 of whichever one is smaller and one really BIG one - must have been for my 940.6; I found them recently and it is like finding unburied treasure...
Anyway, I don't think i had any probs with the rectangular shape not reaching all of the fruit's dimensions because they are huge and you'd wanna time the application of the/any coverings with BEFORE the daily temperature drops significantly or you'll lose a degree or two, plus, there is no actual warm blanket because pumpkins don't really create any heat that I know of - or i'll grow one right by my couch otherwise, lol---eric g

9/21/2022 5:04:48 AM

Austin MN

Ron told me he will always cover his with blankets! I know that people who have grown on scales claim it doesn’t make a difference I like to believe it can trap some heat and help out…even if it’s just a little bit still worth it IMO :)
Good luck in the final stretch Pete :)

9/21/2022 6:49:34 AM

Brooktondale, New York

Why not grab your grandma's electric blanket throw it on low? Plug your soil cables back in if your stumps still good? Just trying to think out side of the box.

9/21/2022 7:06:04 AM

Cheshire Ma USA

I always cover them when it gets below 50 degrees

9/21/2022 7:58:00 AM

Merrimack NH

cover them-

9/21/2022 9:09:16 AM

Western NY

I cover. At least it makes me feel better.

9/21/2022 9:13:08 AM

Kutztown, PA

I have two white sheets on my during the day and put on an old furniture moving blanket from dusk till dawn. If nothing it else it keeps the cold wet dew off the pumpkin. Cells need warmth/energy to divide so if the added warmth helps it's all good.

9/21/2022 9:18:04 AM

Boscawen, NH

I've never believed that blankets at the end of the season has any impact on weight gains. I do believe that they will help the pumpkin stay at a more constant temp which then will reduce end of season contraction/expansion cracks and splits from temp shifts. Most orchard growers in the north will always paint their tree trunks white. One of the main purposes is to reduce the rapid heating of the bark.

9/21/2022 9:46:42 AM

Boscawen, NH

I also use electric blankets to try to keep them at a very constant 70 through the night. If you do decide to go that route be sure to get some thermometers and place them under the blankets and monitor what setting to use. You might wake up to a cooked pumpkin if you don't do this. And as Brandon mentioned, rodents love to make nests in them so check often.

9/21/2022 9:50:05 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Hell yeah, I have comforter and a "my Pillow" on mine. How else are ya gonna snuggle next with your prized possession and be comfortable with the cooler nighttime temps.

9/21/2022 10:07:21 AM

Kutztown, PA

sgeddes,

I've seen the same white paint on tree trunks as far south as Florida. Especially on citrus trees in residential areas. Always wondered why the trunks were painted white. Now I know - just Snowbirds from NH. :)

9/21/2022 1:23:02 PM

Kutztown, PA

sgeddes,

I've seen the same white paint on tree trunks as far south as Florida. Especially on citrus trees in residential areas. Always wondered why the trunks were painted white. Now I know - just Snowbirds from NH. :)

9/21/2022 1:24:00 PM

Kutztown, PA

All kidding aside, citrus trees in FL shade their trunks all year so heating up the trunk wouldn't be a reason. Curious what some other reasons for painting a tree trunk white might be.

9/21/2022 1:26:23 PM

President - GPC

Bugs

9/21/2022 1:34:09 PM

President - GPC

Trees painted white protects them from sun damage

Paint can also be used to protect exposed tree trunks in cases where the bark has been damaged, this method protects the fragile trunk against pests and further damage until the bark has recovered.

9/21/2022 1:35:55 PM

Kutztown, PA

The real question here is will paint (of any color) protect a pumpkin stump? :)

9/21/2022 3:29:21 PM

Deer Park WA

We wrap our young sunset maples and apple trres with white tree wrap to prevent sunscald in the winter.

9/21/2022 3:37:41 PM

Deer Park WA

Plus we cover the pumpkins with old quilts at night and remove and cover with white sheets during the day. Try to moderate day and night timr temoerature changes in the pumpkin. We believe it helps with growth cracks on the skin.

9/21/2022 3:40:09 PM

Muddy Waters

Why do think Linus always had a blanket with him? Its a given

9/21/2022 9:34:19 PM

Mead, WA

Love the quilt at night idea

9/21/2022 11:19:09 PM

Grittyville, WA

Lol bubba. So true...

9/22/2022 3:01:51 PM

S S

Citrus tree trunks painted with added copper will keep Snails out of the tree. Saving the fruit from snail damage.

9/23/2022 7:59:50 AM