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Erin, Wisconsin

Email is gatzowc@hotmail.com

I cleared about a 1/2 acre to do a field with my daughter. I do not have drills or any other planting device. How do others do it? Does broadcasting ever work?

What else do people do to get seed in the ground?

5/5/2014 8:20:19 PM

anytown U.S,A,

spacing is needed so I would not broadcast. I planted over a 1/2 acre last year and did it by hand. I used guidelines given by the seed co.

5/5/2014 9:34:10 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

Did you make mounds or just plant into loose soil? And what was your spacing?

5/5/2014 10:05:25 PM

Bethlehem CT

My uncle grows a few acres of field pumpkins, he has an 8' disc harrow that he goes across the field with one way, then after going in one direction he goes across it in a perpendicular pass. (leaving maybe a foot between passes) He plants several pumpkin seeds at every section where the two passes meet. Thus his "hills" are about 9' x 9' from each other. And cultivation is a snap, as you just take the harrow through until the vines start to run.
If you are talking about broadcasting a cover crop I would recommend lightly tilling in the seed, if it is a large type of seed. (for example field peas, buckwheat) Smaller seeds (clover,rye) will germinate O.K. uncovered but you need to get them in early enough, when the ground is still plenty moist and the suns heat is not super intense. (A dry seed will not germinate) Rolling the seed in always helps to bring good seed to soil contact. That will help with germination.
Last year I broadcast tillage radish in August with out tilling it in. It germinated fine thanks to some showers we had. With that being said, seed is expensive and if you have the chance to incorporate it shallowly into the soil that is the preferred, more foolproof method.

5/6/2014 7:05:07 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

8 foot rows then 8 feet apart. 2 seeds in each hill. Weed weakly until july

5/6/2014 7:23:02 AM

Erin, Wisconsin

Thank you for everyone's suggestion. This sounds like a bigger project than I imagined, but I am up for the challenge. I did invest in a large 2 inch water pump with all the hoses and attachements that I need to make certain I can water from my pond even if we go without rain. Then I just have to figure out how to get the deer and other critters to not eat everything in the field if they grow!

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. thank you all that took time to help.

5/6/2014 8:15:44 AM

Hinckley MN

You can also use a closer in row spacing of 2-4 feet between seeds and 10-12 ft between rows. The row fills in faster, the plants grow both ways and you can weed the aisles with a harrow. You can irrigate the rows with drip tape because you are not harrowing over them. But you then hand weed with a loop hoe until the row closes.

5/6/2014 9:58:00 AM

Erin, Wisconsin

Ben, great idea on the weeding. I have a drag that I pull behind the 4 wheeler that I can use to help weed the aisles which will make it easier. I never realized that the pumpkin farms had as much maintenance as they do. I was naive just to think you plant them and they grow without much maintenance!!

5/6/2014 10:05:27 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

LOL you have not even got into the Pests and Diseases yet

5/6/2014 1:51:11 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

Oh boy. Thanks for the confidence. I figure I am in for a big battle as I have at least 30-40 deer on the property. There has to be at least 50 turkeys running around, not to mention sandhill cranes and then all the little guys. I don't have the money to fence it all in, so I guess I am somewhat hoping on outgrowing the critters. Know they they will get "x" but hopefully I have more space and crop than they can eat. Thats my hope at least...

5/6/2014 2:49:12 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

So I got everything planted and setup my water system today. I purchased a big trash pump that has a splitter to support 4 separate sprinklers. Had everything going great until the sprinklers got all clogged up. Even with a filter on the trash pump, there is enough stuff coming through the filter that is clogging the sprinklers. Has anyone found or can someone suggest strong sprinklers that have a bigger opening that won't get clogged if a little stuff makes it through the filter? I need to cover about an acre with hopefully no more than 4 sprinklers, so the bigger coverage, the better.

5/18/2014 9:24:12 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You sure it is not already inside the hose after the pump. We used to have an issue with stuff in the hose..Snails and Algae growth

5/19/2014 1:34:42 PM

Erin, Wisconsin

I just put a hand sprayer on the end and all of the hoses worked just fine. It is the sprinklers that are not happy.

Maybe I just need to find bigger sprinklers. I'll probably hit up Home Depot or something and try to find a few better sprinklers. I was able to water half the field by hand today, but this is a temporary solution as I won't have time to water by hand all summer.

5/19/2014 5:36:16 PM

Bethlehem CT

It might be one of those deals where you have to keep a piece of wire on hand and when one gets plugged, stick the wire into the clogged orifice.

5/19/2014 9:08:46 PM

Pumpkinville

I would also like to plant 1/2 acre for u pick. I've planted field pumpkins before, buy always too late or toplanto early. When is the best time to plant
I've been told memorial day and 4th of July.

9/10/2014 8:57:14 PM

Blackstone, VA

I do a pick your own pumpkin patch each year and have for several years now. If you are only planting a half acre you might look at an Earthway planter. You can find them for around $100.00. It does a great job. I use a planter behind a tractor as I plant about 30 acres but I have used the Earthway in smaller patches. Facebook: Family Heritage Farms I hope this helps!

9/10/2014 10:51:48 PM

Blackstone, VA

New guy, here in VA I plant in the middle of June and again the first of July. The July planting is additional planting at a different location.

9/10/2014 10:54:13 PM

Pumpkinville

Cool. Thanks Big T.

9/11/2014 6:13:45 AM

Blackstone, VA

No problem. I hope it helped. Where are you located New Guy?

9/11/2014 11:17:32 AM

Pumpkinville

Delaware

9/11/2014 2:05:07 PM

Pumpkinville

Big T.....what is the best varieties?
I know a guy that uses field trip, gladiator, etc.. I think he orders seed from harris brothers.

9/12/2014 6:43:03 PM

Blackstone, VA

I like to plant a few different varieties. I have a lot of luck with Howden, Gladiator, Jack O Latern, Mammoth Gold and some white pumpkins. I also like varieties that aren't so effected by fungus etc... I do buy from Harris seed as well as Southern States. I would say that most of my seed comes from Southern States. I will also grow about an acre of Atlantic giant because they are good novelty and people love to get their pictures or take their children pictures with them during festivities. I injured my foot during a farming accident earlier this year and didn't get to grow my big pumpkins this year. I just remembered that you want to grow a half acre. I farm full time and grow many acres of pumpkins so I guess my advice would be to not get overwhelmed, enjoy it and I would go with Howden or Jack O Latern. Look for a variety that is very prolific so that you may get the most of your limited space. I will be glad to help you follow your dream in any way that I can with advice etc... I love to see people be able to pull things together and make their vision come true. You can contact me through Facebook at Family Heritage Farms in Blackstone, VA. Just send me a message and let me know that it is 'New Guy'. I hope this helped!

9/14/2014 8:05:10 AM

Pumpkinville

Thank you for all the advice, I will definitely look up on FB!

9/14/2014 9:33:55 AM

Thanks for the advice.

12/14/2018 7:35:33 AM