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Central NY

Hi all. I have a pumpkin set but unsure of what I should put it on now. Seems like there are a lot of options. I would prefer simple and inexpensive if at all possible! Thanks for your help.

7/15/2014 9:38:41 AM

Stanwood, Washington

Most people use Mill Fabric It doesn't seem to be readily available unless you know where to look. I have been using window screen material for a couple of years. Its super cheap at home depot. It will keep critters from burrowing up under the kin, weeds wont grow through it and it drains well. I put down a couple of layers and then put sand over the top to help in maneuvering the pumpkin if necessary.

7/15/2014 1:08:19 PM

Central NY

Thanks Captain. Appreciate this.

Any other ideas out there?

7/15/2014 5:28:10 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

I use a sheet of plywood with a hard plastic sheet on top of the plywood. Sand on the plastic sheet to help the kin 'spread' easy while it grows. Also, the hard plastic sheet 'slips' easy on the plywood, allowing me to reposition kin when it's gotten heavy by myself. I did this the other day with a 567 pound kin, the plastic on top of the plywood acts like a 'turn table' of sorts, so instead of the kin sliding around on the sand with me repositioning it, the whole plastic sheet moves with the kin riding on it. least my kin doesn't get abraded moving it around. More experienced growers get their kin positioned correctly to begin with.......my s curves suck, but I'm a lot better than I was!! :}

7/15/2014 6:29:38 PM

Central NY

Thanks LB. No issues with the plastic not having any holes for water drainage?

7/15/2014 10:02:42 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I'd put sand on top of anything you use to keep it dry.

7/15/2014 10:35:20 PM

Colorado

Woven weed barrier (for landscaping) with sand on top works good. Sand drains well,lets the pumpkin slide and keeps mice from getting under( if you seal all around fruit)

7/16/2014 1:23:35 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

What little does get into the kin house during normal rain storms dries off quickly. The hurricane wind driven rain got them wet, no issues so far and sand has dried up nicely.

7/16/2014 6:24:03 AM

Central NY

Thanks all. Appreciate it.

7/16/2014 8:33:39 AM

Rhode Island

for the last several years we have used a 4ft x 4ft piece of 1/4 inch plywood with a 5ft x 5ft piece of mill fabrice over the wood.
it makes it much easier to move a large pumpkin that would not normally move on just sand.
helps dirt from splashing up on the young fruit as well.
pap

7/16/2014 11:50:18 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

LOL. I hope to god I someday need a 4'x 4' piece of anything!! Thanks Pap, made me laugh today!

7/16/2014 4:48:09 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Im using erosion fabric. there always throwing it away at construction sites.

7/16/2014 7:21:16 PM

Central NY

Thanks again all. Very helpful.

7/21/2014 11:17:44 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Mill fabric and a whole lotta beach sand.

7/29/2014 8:37:40 PM

Federal Way, WA

Have to chime in and thank cojoe for the suggestion...I used weed fabric and it worked like a charm. Upon removing it, I saw plenty of roots, critters, etc. that had grown under the pumpkin, but hadn't penetrated the fabric, whatsoever, and it's dirt cheap!

10/15/2014 3:54:49 PM