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I was thinking of putting down my drip lines and than putting 4 mil greenhouse plastic on top of that and as the vine grew put holes into the plastic for the root to get into the ground. I was wondering anyone's thoughts on doing this. Thank you in advance for input!

5/28/2024 4:48:41 PM

look at Don Crews 2024 diary, also DaleM, McMillan Giants and look at their 2023 diaries.
You could ask them questions about any problems to watch for

5/28/2024 7:23:02 PM

Western NY

greenhouse plastic will really cook things. I believe you want a different type of film.

5/28/2024 8:46:59 PM

Any suggestions on type Andy W?

5/28/2024 8:50:11 PM

Grittyville, WA

Would that white plastic they use to wrap sileage bales work? Its gotta be cheap. The stuff they wrap units of lumber with could be easier to handle, might be able to get that for free. Businesses are tossing away useful stuff all the time, sometimes all you gotta do is ask. Just some ideas, let us know how it goes.

5/29/2024 1:48:10 AM

Bethlehem CT

Last year I used the cheap black plastic mulch that comes in 6' rolls I also laid drip underneath. I am trying the same method out again this year. There are advantages and disadvantages. I think for me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Just a couple examples; it has helped me to suppress weeds and also helps to maintain an even keeled moisture level. There are other benefits too, I think it helps with insect control which is a huge deal if you live in an area with YVD. It also helps with disease control and rot. The biggest disadvantage is it gets pretty hot, and you will see some leaf burn, on the vine tips. Although I cant say it was too much worse than on regular soil. We will see what this summer yields for me. I wouldn't be surprised if with in a few years half of all growers are growing on plastic or something similar. I would go with the white or black plastic, and steer away from the clear. I could be wrong but the clear will get too hot. Andy is right. Growers use the clear to solarize the soil which in effect cooks the soil, to kill pathogens.

5/29/2024 7:15:26 AM

Bethlehem CT

It was something like this that I used. https://glaciervalleyenterprise.com/product/black-plastic-mulch-6-feet-x-2400-feet/

5/29/2024 7:18:40 AM

Bethlehem CT

It is more work to set things up in the preseason, but far less work as the season moves along. I put very little time into my pumpkins, during the season. I am just to busy. I have time in April and March to get things set up. May through July are too busy and the weeds, would always get away from me. THis caused a boat load of problems for me, so I am happy with the plastic! It offers a very stable environment for the roots to grow in. You know all the surface roots that you see after a heavy rain. Those roots always get cooked and are no more after a day of sun and heat......Well, You get to keep those surface roots with the plastic protecting the soil and adding a skin layer! It took some balls to try growing with the plastic, for the first time, as most growers including myself had serious doubts about it. But I saw what Don Crews and McMillin Giant's were doing with similar methods and thought it warranted a shot.

5/29/2024 7:29:55 AM

Salem Ohio

You want the white with black backing. All white will grow as many weed underneath it as if you had no fabric at all. All black is way to hot. I will leave a link to the brand I use. It will also flow 15 gallons of water per sq ft per minute. So your soil will get plenty of airflow. This also means you can overhead water like I do or you can put drip lines underneath like Jacob does.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402519654496?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=_LaJpw8dRrq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=4Imb32HAQPm&var=672748168104&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

5/29/2024 8:54:23 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Check out my diaries from years past as well.
I use an IRT film. I need my soil warmer than it can get with anything but clear. I think I actually used clear once but it grew too many weeds.
https://www.damseeds.com/collections/arow-covers/products/irt-plastic-mulch-1

5/31/2024 9:41:46 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'm gonna try it McMillan. $60 for 600 sq ft... this is worth a try for me. Thanks for the link.

6/1/2024 8:19:56 PM