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Esneux / Li�ge / BELGIUM

I would like to know how you keep clean the patch from the adventices.
Chimical way, manual way, or mulch?
What's the better thing to do?
Thank you for your answers.
Sophie

3/1/2003 12:58:24 PM

Montoursville, PA

Sophie We are tending one of the most rewarding plants that I can think of. As a gardener I have always had about a thousand square feet of garden more or less.

To tend and stay ahead of weeds I prefer a pure and simple hoe. Done regularly the process is rewarding because with each hour given you will remove continuous invasions of weeds freeing the soil to support your crop.

Two hours a day is not to much to plan on if you wish to really keep a clean patch. You will measure your success by the top inch or so being very easy to work and not at all difficult to keep nice if done regularly.

3/1/2003 10:47:05 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

As far as I am going to care only four plants, I will do it by hand and very superficially, in order to not disturb the pumpkins roots.
Don

3/2/2003 1:38:15 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Thea - I know some guys utilize herbicides and pre-emergents.

I haven't used these yet but will probably try a pre-emergent this year. Just have to be careful to keep it away from the seedlings.

3/2/2003 3:56:19 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

and from the secondary roots???

3/2/2003 11:15:36 AM

[email protected]

Herbicides are pre-tested for crop tolerance before being legally labeled for use on a specific crop. Rate, plant condition, soil type, & environmental/cultural conditions will determine the extent (if any) of injury. If a herbicide isn't labeled for use on pumpkins, don't use it. It may have been tested & found to cause unacceptable crop injury.
Some folks have very strong feelings about taking any chances at all with herbicides. So if hand weeding can be done carefully (without root damage or soil compaction), then perhaps herbicides are best left to commercial growers who forecast crop losses based on sheer economic value only.
That said, I use pre-emergant herbicides at slightly lower than labeled rates, only in the walking paths & other areas I don't expect secondary rooting. Over the ciurse of the season, pumpkins establish a canopy of foliage that helps keep down weeds by shading them out anyway.
The contact, quasi-organic herbicide "SCYTHE" (Pelorgonic Fatty Acids like soap) will kill emerged weeds without any chance of soil persistance or crop injury as lomg as it's used at low pressure on a still day.
Keeping weeds out is of significant importance regardless of the method or methods chosen.
Mulches are also helpful so long as they don't fix Nitrogen or harbor insects & disease.
Steve

3/2/2003 12:33:09 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Very well said Steve!

3/2/2003 2:35:53 PM

Sydney, Australia

Sophie:

I used mulch in my patch and spent half an hour all season on weeding. Worked very well. Also kept moisture in the soil. Pumpkin plants have very fine roots that are right at the surface of the soil.......any hoeing or weed pulling will damage those roots. I used grass clippings, and they broke down slowly over a 4 month period, the worms loved it too! Just my opinion and experience.....hope that helps........ Ben(Boily)

3/2/2003 6:21:50 PM