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Kutztown, PA

So, last year I grew my only pumpkin on a piece of plywood with sand on top of it. Over time the sand became hard and crusty but ultimately it was ok. I also moved the pumpkin about a foot with a com-a-long to reduce some vine pressure. In retrospect I think that's riding the lightning. I've heard and read several options, i.e. grow on 3/4 PT Plywood with holes drilled in it; Grow any 3/4 plywood; grow on a pallet; grow on mill fabric; grow on a bed of sand; grow on whey drying fabric, and there may be others I haven't heard about. What's your "go too" for growing on and your opinions about ways you dont use??

6/30/2022 11:56:25 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Most of the big guys grow on plywood, mill, light sand then use T's or L shaped adapters to pull water lines around the plywood.

I just place mine right on top of the plywood. The netafim lines can handle the pressure.:)

Use " play sand " only. Any other sand can get hard and isn't as smooth as the play sand.

I just place mine right on top of the plywood and mill and never had a problem. A little bit of sand if needed.

No holes in the plywood because moisture will come through those holes and I've seen it rot peoples pumpkins.

6/30/2022 1:57:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

I havent seen humidity alone rot a pumpkin but standing water, yes. Ive grown plenty on plain old dirt with none rotting but maybe my dirt is special... Volcanic ash in the soil here helps prevent rot, perhaps.

6/30/2022 2:36:57 PM

Kutztown, PA

Mill Fabric seems hard to find. I guess I'll stick with the 4'x 4' plywood and plays sand. Last year I used play sand but I didn't shade with a tarp; I just through a white sheet over the pumpkin. The sand on the plywood got crusty and hard. I guess toward the end it was more like a mixture of sand, Daconil, diatomaceous earth, and sulfur. It'll probably do better covered up and kept dry. May be I'll put it on a slight decline so it drains if it gets to wet. Got any ideas (besides a cat) to keep mice away?

6/30/2022 2:56:54 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I use mill fabric and play sand. It is miserably hot and humid here and the bottoms have always held up. It keeps all critters from burrowing from underneath too. The stuff is indestructible. There was a guy selling mill fabric on here and, that's who I bought it from 10 yrs back. Maybe check the for sale section (Sludge pumpkin might have been name).

I like the plywood idea too that SoCal described.

6/30/2022 5:11:35 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Remember how easy it was to get mill Luke! Was his name Dan? He had it all the time and it was cheap!

6/30/2022 10:56:00 PM

Bethlehem CT

I still use mill fabric, it was a good investment many years ago. The stuff is indestructible. I usually leave mine out in the sun for half the winter to allow the sun to kill off any disease on them.

7/1/2022 8:08:27 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Yes Chris, I think his name was Dan.

7/1/2022 8:37:58 AM