From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Akron,N.Y.

So far I've been adding organic matter and I'm wondering if I should add sand.My garden is 16' x 50'.I plan on growing just cantalope and watermelon in it.Over the years years I've added lots of horse manure,thanks to the hay burners we have.I put 50 lbs. of lime on it this year.Someone suggested getting a soil test specific for lopes,do most of you guys do that? and any suggestions where to do that.
Also wondering if I should put anything under the lope as it grows like sand or a small tarp.Just thinking it would help it somehow.
Thanks
Gene

10/6/2012 9:24:25 PM

Piqua, Ohio

compost will help a bunch if you have high humus add sand if you have clay ground sand will make it pack when it rains. I put sand under my melons and shade from the sun, when I send you seeds in a few weeks I'll send some care instructions. the soil test can be done locally go to a place that sells chems to farms they can have it sent away

10/7/2012 3:27:44 PM

Akron,N.Y.

Could I use sand from the local creek or should I use a special sand?
Thanks in advance for the instructions Josh.I need all the help I can get to set a record and check that off my bucket list.Is there a listing somewhere of state records for veggies?

Thanks again
Gene

10/8/2012 12:20:30 PM

Bowdon, GA

Josh is correct. Gene get a soil test, and follow the recommendations. If you need too, email me the results and I'll try to help. The metal rack I use for my melons work well for lopes too. I have some pics in my diary for reference. Shade them as well as possible, because they are sensitive to high temps and sun.

10/8/2012 9:02:42 PM

Akron,N.Y.

I checked out that rack like you mentioned and I was happy to see what you used.I have some laying around that I couldn't part with and now I have a use for it.If we have a hot ,dry summer next year like we had this year ,I will definitely need to shade them.I was thinking I could put some stakes around the lope and tie a sheet to them to make a shade.Seems simple enough and should work I think

10/14/2012 8:56:51 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

Put you some peat moss were the planting holes going to be I use 3bales per plant

10/14/2012 9:56:08 PM

Akron,N.Y.

thanks for the tip vic! That seems like alot of peat moss,but if it works for you ,thats awesome.How come you put peat moss ? do you have a certain type of soil you are trying to correct?

10/16/2012 10:09:19 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

Clay it you put sand on clay soil you will have concrete that's what I got in one of my patch it might be a lot.but it with compost works for me

10/17/2012 6:01:00 PM