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valtierra/spain

I tested the plastic in 2016, I was sure it could be a good option, but I passed water. Be careful when watering, the plastic can withstand the humidity a lot, if you go over moisture the roots will rot. Good luck.

6/11/2024 8:14:32 AM

Bethlehem CT

Thanks Rmen, I did the plastic last year and didn't have to water even once from the end of June until weighoff. We were getting tremendous amounts of rain and I think the plastic actually helped keep the soil a bit more on the dry side which helped me hold things together when other growers in the area were losing pumpkins left and right. I try to gauge moisture levels by sticking my finger through the plastic before watering. The plastic does really reduce the amount of evaporation, and therefore the need for watering. The environment under the plastic is much more stable from a moisture standpoint. If I do things right, I get to keep all those surface roots that come to the soils surface and become visible. Without the plastic many growers will only see these roots under a walking board or after a couple days of rainy cloudy weather. Thanks for the heads up, that does make sense about the roots rotting. I agree Over watering will be more detrimental with the plastic, Because once it's there it is harder to get out. Luckily in my location we have well draining top soil and sub soil, but I will still be careful.

6/11/2024 9:03:40 AM