From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Williamsburg,KY

I am wondering how much water to appply to my pumpkins. I do nothave a facuet nearby, so I fill milk jugs from a rain barrel. How can I be sure Im watering enough? I use one gallon per plant as a foliar and one for a drench. Is that enough?

6/23/2005 5:51:38 PM

New Salisbury IN

no you will need a lot more as plants get biger you must run water line to plants

6/23/2005 6:14:07 PM

Montoursville, PA

Somehow you need to get an average of an inch or more, of water over the whole patch a week between you and mother if you wish to achieve maximum growth.

6/23/2005 9:13:00 PM

canal winchester ohio

Here's something to give you a guide. I'm handwatering my 664 Liggett ( all under the leaves), watering a area appx. 170 sq.ft. right now & I'm giving it 48 gallons of water a day. This is figuring we have no rain ( which right now we don't). I come to this by giving the plant 1/4 gallon of water per sq.ft. per day to equal out to 1 inch of rain a week. And the plant is doing great...................Paul
" knock on wood"

6/23/2005 9:57:02 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Gosh dang am I behind on the water. Gonna have to do some thinking on how to get that much water. We are suppose to get rain tonite so perhaps, if I water from my rain barrel it will fill up with the new rain. I appreciate everyones help. Im growing 5 plants in an area of about 15 ft by 50 feet...750 sq ft..thats alot of watering to do. Right now my plants are doing great with the main vine about 10 feet long and some secondarys coming on. So when I water, I water the base and the length of the main vine or the whole patch? Last year I have some blowouts, i thought from too much water but guess it was genetic. Any comments and advise welcomed.

6/25/2005 9:51:17 AM

South Western Pa

The one inch per week is a general guideline. Take into consideration:

average air temps, hi temps = more water
dew points, lower dew points = higher evaporation rates = more water
soil type, sandy soil = more water
pumpkin growth rate, too fast a growth is not necessarily good, you could split

I try to keep the soil moist without any puddling. Too much water just like too little can reduce growth and also allow disease to get a foothold.

6/25/2005 2:02:54 PM

Williamsburg,KY

I appreciate everyones advise. My patch is doing quite well. After I transplanted I mulch with carpet first and then use grass clipppings. The carpet is outdoor carpet we removed from the front porch and I cut into 4' wide strips and use as paths and keeps weeds down. The patch is mulched and under the mulch the ground is moist. We did get about 1/4" of rain the other day, so all is well now. again, thanks for helping.

7/1/2005 9:41:31 AM

Montoursville, PA

You will build better soil if you apply the grass clippings, to the soil and put the carpet, on top, if you wish. The carpet is supplying nothing but shade, for you. The nutrients, from the grass have, to fight their way through the carpet, to reach your soil. Chances are a lot of goodness is not even making it into your patch, for all your work. Many indoor outdoor carpets have a closed cell rubber or plastic backing.

7/1/2005 7:14:54 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Guess in my excitement to write, I said it wrong. I put grass clippings around my plant and use the carpet as a walkway and move the carpet pieces as grass clipping become available. The carpet is probably at least 10 feet from the plant and vines. The carpet keeps the weeds down so when I do have some mulch, the mulch replaces the carpet. I missed the free leaves last fall, wont make that mistake this fall. The city brings them to me..how can you bet that. Thanks docgipe, I really do appreciate all your help.

7/3/2005 10:18:54 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Oh forgot one thing, I finially hooked up my drip line to the patch. Now once my barrels fill up, all i have to do is hook the hose up and water the patch as I see fit. Altho, Im far from 48 gallons a day per like Canal Winchester but Im trying.

7/3/2005 10:21:33 AM