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Location

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Date Posted

Deering, NH

Being fairly new at growing, I notice many pictures of stumps being 6-10 feet apart. Does anyone have proven info on approximately how far out the fine roots extend. I recognize this varies patch to patch however, a proven rule of thumb would be great.

3/7/2022 5:36:44 PM

Grittyville, WA

I have found roots 20+ ft from the stump. Not sure if overlap is a critical issue or not... it just depends if the soil can handle one or two plants. I'll venture to guess that 30-40 ft is possible.

3/7/2022 5:51:42 PM

Colorado

easily in 15ft radius/30 ft circle

3/8/2022 2:54:22 AM

Deering, NH

In a recent Andy Wolfe 101 patch layout picture, he shows 5 feet between the stumps. Just seems like it would create too much root density and significantly limit nutrient uptake.

3/8/2022 5:55:28 AM

Ireland

I grew a 1166.25 and a 1033 4 feet apart in 800 square foot total.

3/8/2022 7:10:30 AM

Colorado

Theres been world records grown back to back.Chris Stevens 1810 was appr5/6 feet from another plants stump.I dont know why its not a problem but it doesnt seem to be.

3/8/2022 8:48:09 AM

Springfield, VT

The stump root go out as far as the vines. The node roots typically are shorter. Like in nature the roots can overlap and will compete with other plants. If there is enough water & nutrients so it not a problem.

3/8/2022 8:59:03 AM

Colorado

Maybe that back to back serves as a form of root vs. fruit resource management similar to what pruning does with the vines and leaves.Ive always assumed more roots bigger fruit but that may not be true.

3/8/2022 9:10:10 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

So if you plant on the edge of a patch to let the plant run to the center are you limiting its potential by cutting off half of the stump roots ability to travel to its potential?

3/8/2022 9:38:32 AM

Colorado

Yes thats the idea. Nobody knows how many roots is ideal we've always assumed more is better.

3/8/2022 10:24:19 AM

Kutztown, PA

So, assuming a patch has 750-900 sf available and is rectangular shaped. Based on the above you'd be planting a minimum of 15ft from the edge of the patch to accommodate the stump root ball. So, how are you going to train your vines to fill in behind the stump to utilize the entire space.

3/8/2022 2:06:14 PM

Colorado

You train your first secondaries strait back. Well call it the limp xmas tree pattern.Bury with dirt from outside the area. no trenching.

3/8/2022 4:02:55 PM

Western NY

My 2365 was a back-to-back planting, stumps were maybe 5 or 6 feet apart.

3/8/2022 6:16:52 PM

Grittyville, WA

There is a point at which roots compete with the pumpkin for resources. You need balance, really.

3/8/2022 9:01:09 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

Roots travel to the most nutrient rich soil they can find with the correct moisture. Planting a few feet off from the edge of your garden space in my opinion will not matter as the roots will travel as explained above. I agree with Andy planted back to back six feet apart has grown many big ones!

3/8/2022 10:11:38 PM

Anchorage Alaska

I have to plant in a 23 x 30 raised bed, 24" high, made of metal, I usually try to plant about 4 ft from the back wall of the gh , so not much room for the roots in back to grow, before hitting the the edge, I have often wondered how much potential growth is lost, being handcuffed like that

3/8/2022 11:41:41 PM

Deering, NH

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

3/9/2022 6:44:49 AM