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Ohio

Is there anything i can do besides puting up a fence to stop the wind that builds up across fields and then slams my garden... such as a few rows of corn maybe?... I am really not sure what to do so some ideas would be great..
Thanks,
Ryan

3/13/2006 9:15:52 PM

Central Pennsylvania lauralie1978@yahoo.com

That sounds like a great idea! I think I might try that. Sorry, no ideas to return the favor here. I'm new to pumpkins this year.

3/14/2006 8:42:22 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Corn or Sunflowers is what we use. Sunflowers seem to work better as they grow faster in the spring.

3/14/2006 9:35:48 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Corn rows won't help until they get big enough, usually in July. In my opinion, pumpkins need the most protection when they are young, before the vines start to root down. My patch is in a deep, tree-lined valley and fairly well protected, but I still have problems with young plants. I will be putting up some smaler, temporary protection around my plants if at all possible.

3/14/2006 9:37:04 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Jerry Rose used a unique method last year that he spoke of at Niagara. It is a form of fencing with vertical strips of wood with spaces between them. I think he said there was a 2 or 3 to 1 ratio??? One 3" slat to one 6" space maybe???

The area protected I do remember. For every 1 foot in height, this method protects the next 8'. So a 5 foot structure has reduced wind velocity for 40 feet behind it.

I hope Jerry sees this & chimes in.

Another option is to search the Diary archives for the Great Wall of Nesbitt. No one has ever built a finer wind barrier. LOL Heck, Alan builds an entire enclosure around the "chosen one". - Awesome!

3/14/2006 10:13:32 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We get by here in Stratford with a sime $20 silt fence from Home Cheapo.

But here is the Great Wall of Nesbitt:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2004&grower=11653&action=L

3/14/2006 10:17:59 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Here is a Patch Tour that stopped at Alan's.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=79&gid=18

3/14/2006 10:19:02 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

ahhh Steve he does not want to put a fence up.

3/14/2006 12:02:13 PM

huntsburg,ohio

8 inch board 3 inch gap and yes you get good protection 8 times the height and you should never make a solid barrier as it becomes more turbulent on back side.just punch in wind break or wind fence and you'll find info.Corn works but if you get verry strong winds lays down corn.Jerry

3/14/2006 2:19:11 PM

Colorado

I have eight foot high heavy duty deer fencing around my patch to keep out my dogs. I discovered that although it will not stop the wind it breaks up the wind current enough that it provides a pretty good level of protection. We get some very strong winds whistling down out of the Rockies and I have not had any wind damage yet.

3/14/2006 3:37:46 PM