From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Edmonton, Canada

It's snowing here right now, and the forecast is for a light frost for the next 3 nights in a row, however, it's supposed to warm up nicely after.

My question is, should I simply cover my pumpkin and hope for the best, or should I pick it. How much weight could I expect to lose between now and October 4th if I pick it?

9/16/2003 10:19:48 AM

Grants Pass, Oregon

smitty can you cover the pumpkin with blankets to keep it warm and covered?

9/16/2003 10:42:45 AM

Edmonton, Canada

Yes, but I'm wondering how much cold the covered pumpkin can take?

9/16/2003 11:10:10 AM

Cooks Creek, Manitoba, Canada

Smitty, I was able to successfully protect my big ones last year from several cold nights (lowest was -9C) by placing a blanket on the pumpkin, then a layer of plastic, followed by another blanket. Remember the ground holds a lot of heat (not to mention the pumpkin since it is basically water) so if you can trap some of this it helps (big blankets that extend over the ground when over the pumpkin). Also make sure you take off the blankets during the day when it warms up.

Last October was so cold here I had to leave the covers on continuously for several days at a time to try and keep them for Halloween and I had no problems, but both pumpkins were very sound to begin with.

9/16/2003 11:45:13 AM

Edmonton, Canada

Thanks bez. Just needing to make sure I wasn't going to lift my blanket and find hundreds of pounds of mush!

9/16/2003 12:22:26 PM

Sask, Canada

Smitty:

I don't believe their is a category for mush at Smoky Lake.
(snicker)...

I would however like to see you at the weigh-offs with your pumpkin so as Daniel says keep em covered and dry.

I usually take my blankets off once the weather warms in the morning, make sure they are completly covered tuck them in at the bottom.

I use hoops houses all year, protection in the spring, shade in the summer and blankets over the fruit with plastic over that to guarantee the blankets stay dry then tarps over that. Just got in from putting plastic over my blankets as we are suppose to get rain today (high +9, ya right still +4 out)and don't want the blankets getting wet in case it comes through the tarps.

Just remember us Eskimos up here in Canada fight the cold once we step out of our igloos by staying warm but most of all DRY...

TTYL
Ernie
Giant Veggies

9/16/2003 12:41:40 PM

Edmonton, Canada

LMAO!!! Thanks Ernie!

9/16/2003 1:08:25 PM

Taber, Alberta

Smitty, I don't know how much snow you are supposed to get, but we are supposed to get around 10 cm of wet snow. I have my pumpkins covered, but is there any hope of saving the plant? It is only supposed to get down to 0 tonight, but I'm worried that if I cover my plant like I do for frost warnings, will the snow crush the leaves?

Alan

9/16/2003 1:14:34 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Tough call Alan. 10 cm on top of plastic would be alot of weight, and would do a tonne of damage. But doing nothing wouldn't be so good either. Is there any way you could cover the plant, and then clean off the snow at some point during the day?

Dealing with the weather in western Canada is quite a pain in the a**!

9/16/2003 1:41:21 PM

Deer Park WA

Hello my pumpkin brothers in the great white north! I found a great way to protect my plants when early frost comes, I take 3/4" x 10' pvc and rebar to build hoops in the center of the plant area and then pull a big sheet of 6-mill plastic over that. I use old storm windows nailed together around the plant perimiter and staple the plastic to them. It kind of gives you a huge green house with enough perimiter opening to allow for ventilation yet keeps the plant from freezing. I will try and post a picture today.

9/16/2003 3:35:31 PM

Good luck Smitty!

Remember, for the 840 contest, you can get a weight anytime between now and November 1st. If you are leaving it on the vine for some extra lbs, it's worth the trouble.

Otherwise, you could cut and weigh it and store it in a cool spot until your official weighoff.

It may weigh a little less at Smokey Lake, but you would have the higher weight locked in for the contest. The contest states it needs to be weighed on a certified scale and I think you will need witnesses...

It sounds like a nice pumpkin. Bust of luck!

9/16/2003 4:10:50 PM

Whidbey Island

I second Gad's approach. I use 10 foot 1 inch pvc pipe in various formations to make the frame of a plastic 6 mil tent. You can buy clips (Charlies Greenhouse in Mt. Vernon, Washington shipped in 2-3 days) that fit over the pipe and hold the plastic to the frame. I even got four-way pvc couplers from the hardware store and made the beginnings of a quonset hut like structure with 2 10 foot stretches over the bulk of the plant. For those with snow you might be able to protect most of the main vine and your fruit. Sixty watt bulbs under the tent of the pumpkin will keep the chill off and not burn the fruit. Do not use heat lamps, too hot. If anyone wants more detailed instructions, let me know. Good luck.

9/16/2003 10:18:15 PM

So, Smitty... How many inches did you get?

' Hope all is well!

9/17/2003 4:09:16 PM

San Luis Obispo Ca

Snow! I thought I had problems! Good Luck!

9/17/2003 11:05:36 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Very little snow here. We got lucky. It didn't freeze yet either, even though it was in the forecast for the last 3 nights. Don't know if I'll be able to get any more growth even if things warm up. I think the plant is just hanging on.

9/18/2003 10:18:08 AM

Taber, Alberta

Hey Smitty, lucky for you. We had 10 cm of wet heavy snow (but it didn't freeze), plus minus 3 the next night. I'm just barely hanging on. Check my diary for pics.
Alan

9/19/2003 8:51:39 AM