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Saco, Maine

My patch has become overrun, COMPLETELY overrun with weeds & grass. The 1 pumpkin I have is only a 200 lber, so I'm going to throw in the towel for this season. In preparation for next season, what's the best way to rid my patch ENTIRELY of weeds? I don't want to spray weed-killer and the mass amount of weeds is too much for hand pulling each one.
Suggestions???

8/19/2007 5:54:37 PM

Jericho Vermont

Invest in a good stirrup hoe. Most seasoned growers will tell you that weeding is a chore you must do often. My son and I spend about 10-12 hours in our patch a week, just cleaning weeds out. It is a real pain in the butt, but in my opinion a necessary step to growing a huge pumpkin. As Nike ads say "Just do it". Best of luck in 2008.
John

8/19/2007 6:09:02 PM

Minnesota

Would'nt flipping the dirt over do it with a shovel, thats what I would do, and then Hand pullout and make sure you get the roots. Or, Chuck Foss-maybe you should email Bill Foss direct, your probably related way back when, that way it would be one Foss to another Foss,+ he's a heavy hitter as they say, has the Minnesota state record.

8/19/2007 7:49:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Flipping the soil over with a shovel is back-breaking & will destroy the pumpkin's roots.

We use Roundup as long as we can but the Stirrup or Scuffle hoe is still an indispensable item to have in the patch. Mine spends the entire summer leaning in the patch & gets used every single day.

Some growers cover the entire patch with 1.5 mil clear plastic in Marchor early April. This "solarizes" the weeds. As the pumpkin grows, they cut & removethe plastic ahead of the advancing vine.

Sounds crazy but works great - it's a real time saver.

8/19/2007 8:39:05 PM

Saco, Maine

Thanks for all the advice - I really appreciate it!

If I "solarize" the soil, will it damage the nutrients? Any downside to doing it?

8/21/2007 6:34:26 PM

Section, AL

Tremor, why clear plastic vs. black? Thanks

8/22/2007 1:36:09 AM