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San Diego

My main vine will grow across some grass and I heard that you could put down a narrow thin layer of manure on the grass so the main vine will put down roots into the ground, but at the end of the season the grass isn't really harmed, just mow it. Can anyone tell me if this works? If it does, is fresh manure ok for this or not? thanks for the help. Jim

3/11/2002 9:07:06 PM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

Just dig up the grass. Pumpkins are more important anyway.
Actually I have no idea about the answer to your question, just thought I would put in my 2 bits.

3/12/2002 9:11:57 AM

Western Pa.

The soil under your grass, has not been "fluffed up" by tilling, thus may be compacted. This will make it harder for the main's roots to penetrate the soil. It has also not been fortified with organic matter as(hopefully)your main patch has. I believe in covering vines with soil to maximize water and nutrient uptake. If this is done, the grass will probably die, but may recover the following year. I don't advise using fresh manure, as it may burn the plant. This is all about "maximizing" the potential of your pumpkin plant, I don't know how big your patch is, but I suggest, if possible, till up at least 500 sq. feet per plant.Are you growing giant pumpkins, or nice, green grass?

Jim

3/12/2002 9:17:30 AM

San Diego

I just wanted to let ya know that I have no choice in the matter of the grass. It's my dad's grass and he wants grass more than a pumpkin. Actually, I'm just lucky he's letting me grow one. I'm just trying to maximize my growing situation. Anymore ideas would be apreciated. Thanks, Jim

3/12/2002 5:37:10 PM

Western Pa.

Seems to me like the only choice left is to hook the old man on growing giant pumpkins! Show him a copy of "How to grow Giant Pumpkins" (1 or 2), and butter him up! Let HIM have the car on Saturday night! If you want to grow a giant pumpkin, you've got to put the pedal all the way down to the floorboard, and keep it there! (Tell him he'll be the envy of the neighborhood!)(Tell him what he wants to hear!)

kilr
pumpkin psychologist

3/12/2002 7:20:59 PM

Midway City, California

Train the vine to go in another directions by moving the vine slowly and in a smooth radius.

3/12/2002 7:25:10 PM

Deer Park WA

I let my plant go over the grass all the time, they seem to be very compatable! (Jack LaRue taught me that) After the vine is done I pull it off the lawn, mow, and after a few days I have lawn again, unless you buried the vine with dirt, then the grass dies. I have found that if you really need the space, (and pumpkins do) and you want to also have a lawn, then hand trim the grass to about 8" as it grows around your vines, and use a (minimum amount of) fungicide to control powdery mildew, a little Daconil may be necessay for Aphids, but be VERY SPARING as it has been my experience that pumpkin plants hate it also!!

Best of luck to all in "02", Gerry

3/12/2002 9:03:19 PM

Long Island,New York

Although not a concern of the western growers, the vine borers love it when you grow over the grass...they sneak in there out of site and spraying/coverage is often hindered by the grass....just my 2 cents.....G

3/13/2002 5:15:38 PM

The Big Orange, CA

I'm with the Kilr! Co-opting the father is the elegant way to go, and completely eliminates any issues about the grass or any other non-pumpkin-related flora. Or, you might try hypnosis? Auto-suggestion during the father's sleep would probably also do the trick...

3/16/2002 11:52:33 PM