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Wisconsin

I grow in Wisconsin and dont really know when to get things started. I cant see being able to plant before memorial day weekend. I think im going to start in ice cream pailes, or 5 gallon buckets and slowely add soil for a good root structure. I dont know how long the seedling can live in this enviornment. I also dont know how long it will take to germinate the seeds.

Thanks

Bob

3/3/2010 9:49:50 PM

Rudolph

Get them started in one gallon plastic pot on april 25,and get them in the ground by may fouth(in a hoop house)

where you located in wisconsin?

3/3/2010 9:55:32 PM

Wisconsin

Thanks! I grow in Fond du Lac. A hoop house, when I do that do I put each one in a hoop house, or would I build one big one? and then how long would they stay in there?

3/3/2010 10:05:50 PM

Rudolph

A hoop house is a basic(lets say) four by four foot teepy, put one over each of your plants in the early month, you should be able to take them off by late may(or if your plant out grows it) here's a pic of a simple hoop house we used last year, http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=102254

line plastic at the bottom( black is best) to keep the ground warm as well as keep the weeds down, example http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=105252

3/3/2010 10:14:41 PM

Rudolph

Remove the plastic and hoop house once things have warmed up.

3/3/2010 10:15:19 PM

Rudolph

ps. I'd recomend joining wgpg. cwpg.org they'll get you some great seeds if you dont have anything yet, also news letters and tons of info. ohh and by joining you'll be able to enter your pumpkin or any other catigory fruit for free at there weigh off sites(only one, next one will be five dollars)all info is on there site, check it out!
Josiah O' Brandt

3/3/2010 10:23:07 PM

Wisconsin

That is awesome, I have some work to do.

3/3/2010 10:24:29 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Bob, lot's of great info right here on this site...try search for hoop house!!! Will prbly give a few suggestions on how to build what ya need!!! The best advice given so far? Join a local club!!! Good folks up in the Great White North!!! Peace, Wayne

3/5/2010 12:22:38 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

Black plastic does not heat the ground as quickly as clear plastic.

3/6/2010 9:25:56 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Correct...clear is better.

3/6/2010 10:55:41 AM

Rudolph

I never said black plastic heats the ground better.
I just like it because it'll keep the weeds down better than clear plastic.
I have heating cables for the warmth:)

3/6/2010 11:32:02 AM

Middle TN

Did not know clear heats better, I woulda thought the exact opposite. Thanks for the tip :)
Tammy

3/6/2010 6:15:17 PM

Bloomington, IN

"...While the black plastic became much hotter than the clear plastics, it did so by absorbing the sun's energy instead of transmitting it through to the soil..."

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/solarization.htm

3/7/2010 1:12:12 AM