From

Location

Message

Date Posted

North dakota

New grower here. What are people's favorite base to put under your giant pumpkin?

3/19/2024 5:12:49 PM

Western PA

4'x 4' of 1/2 inch plywood, then a piece of mill fabric on top. I also use 2 pieces of mill fabric as stated below.

[Last edit: 03/20/24 10:13:52 PM]

3/19/2024 7:46:14 PM

Whidbey Island

Conveyor belt material or plywood. Always put a sprinkling of sand on top to allow the pumpkin to slide over the surface as it grows.

3/19/2024 7:47:01 PM

Ironton, ohio

Fire blanket and bed of sand

3/20/2024 7:15:35 AM

Grittyville, WA

Dryish dirt atop cedar fence boards fastened atop a pallet. I like to buttress under the outer edge proactively with more dirt if I think it would help.

3/20/2024 8:51:27 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I use a plywood foundation, then two layers of mill fabric and a layer of fine (play) sand.

3/20/2024 11:01:39 AM

Connecticut, USA

The two layers of mill fabric is key when it comes time to move that pumpkin just a bit to relieve vine stress.

3/20/2024 12:41:27 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

What Ken says :D

3/20/2024 3:47:08 PM

Wisconsin

Scale works good

3/20/2024 8:54:11 PM

North dakota

Thank you for your responses

3/21/2024 3:39:18 PM

Sharon, MA

What Ken said, plus a light dusting of play sand.

3/22/2024 2:12:14 PM

Diamond, Ohio

Plywood, two sheets, no sand.

3/22/2024 7:56:26 PM

Syracuse, NY

Rigid housing insulation - Home Depot, 4' X 4', 3/4-inch, if affordable.
I suppose thinner is OK if plywood is underneath.
Here is an example and sticking stuff down thru it secures it:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=341865
This may have been 1/2 inch or last year's butt I do like it. eg

3/22/2024 8:08:56 PM

Rhode Island

4FT X 4FT EXTERIOR PLYWOOD
DOUBLE LAYER OF MILL FABRIC (moves easier)
2000 + LB COME ALONG (HARBOR FREIGHT)
2000 + YELLOW TOE STRAP (HARBOR FREIGHT)
1 in metal pipe driven a couple ft in ground or connect to immovable object (tractor-truck bumper-etc )

3/26/2024 7:03:12 PM