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Location

Message

Date Posted

South Dakota

Scored me a piece of mill cloth for this year. Years prior I just used plywood and alot of sand. Do I still need to use the sand and the mill cloth? What good is the mill cloth if sand is still needed? I assumed the slickness of the mill cloth would negate the need for sand. Am I missing something?

7/6/2022 5:21:21 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I use a layer of plywood, with mill cloth on top. Very light layer of sand and then another layer of mill cloth. Generous pile of sand on top of that.

The mill cloth will allow good drainage AND prevent critters from chewing up underneath your pumpkin.

the second layer of mill cloth really helps when the pumpkin needs adjusting.

7/6/2022 6:13:04 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I copy what Kevin does. With that second piece of mill fabric, you can slide a 1000 pound fruit with one helper easy. 1500 or more, forget about it! lol

7/6/2022 6:26:19 PM

Colorado

The sand acts like little ball bearing on top of the mill fabric.The pumpkin skin is soft early and will stick to the mill fabric.

7/6/2022 8:55:46 PM

Diamond, Ohio

No sand here just double layer fabric on top of plywood

7/6/2022 10:38:45 PM

Salem Ohio

No sand for me either just 2 pieces of mill fabric, the mill fabric slides on itself really well. Seems like the sand binds the two sheets of mill fabric and they don’t slide as well, but either way is fine.

7/7/2022 7:51:27 AM

Torrance, Ca.

What I find interesting is, the Patons use nothing but sand. Its always amazed me how their fruit never get rot on the underside?
You can't argue with their technique! It works every year for them just perfect!

7/7/2022 11:22:21 AM

Long Island,New York

Thats because the Patons probably take turns sleeping under the pumpkins at night to see that the sand moves the right way.....them boys is nuts!

7/7/2022 1:39:09 PM

Whidbey Island

They grow in greenhouses and can control for moisture and critters. Don't know how they avoid concave bottoms, though.

7/7/2022 7:08:26 PM

Beaver WV

Where can you buy the mill fabric? Any help would be appreciated and thx.

7/9/2022 7:35:25 PM

Grittyville, WA

@SoCal I think the key is to never have the underside get dripping wet? If your drip irrigation goes under the pumpkin, it seems like that would invite disaster.

7/11/2022 6:25:19 PM