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Lake Elmo, Minnesota

I placed plywood boards under my pumpkin this year (covered with 6 mill plastic so the wood wouldn't rot and with many holes in the wood for water drainage). My question is whether the pumpkins would have a less flat bottom if it were grown on a bed of sand vs the board. Any first-hand testimonials out there?

9/26/2003 10:42:49 AM

Bemidji, MN

Andy, no need for the boards. When fruit is in small stage, just flatten soil where you think fruit will grow and you'll end up with flat bottom. I've done this past 6 years and works well. Steve

9/26/2003 11:22:21 AM

Morris, Connecticut

I grow my pumpkins on sand and have never seen nicer looking bottoms. In my mind its the only way to go.

9/26/2003 11:27:36 AM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Steve. I want to avoid a flat bottom and try for more rounded pumpkin. Is that what you meant or did you make a typo? Also,do yours grow on soil or sand? Andy (P.S.) going to be a cold weekend in your neck of the woods.

9/26/2003 11:27:45 AM

Commack, NY

i use a flexible plastic laminate material that i purchased at home depot. on top of that i place a generous layer of sand.

Scott

9/26/2003 12:22:17 PM

Montoursville, PA

Lots of us use the paper mill founding belt material that can be purchased from several growers here in our Equipment For Sale area.

The white material goes on top of the sand. Using sand packed up around the side,in the "V", also helps support the downward pressure of the growing fruit. This material can be used over and over literally for ever. Hose it off and hang it in the sun for a week after using.

9/26/2003 1:30:47 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I'm with Al, nothing else beats sand for me. 1st year I haven't lost one to bottom rot or pests.

9/26/2003 4:33:56 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I put down boards then I put down about 3-4 inches of sand on top of the boards.

9/26/2003 5:52:38 PM

[email protected]

On 2 pumpkins we used Pulp Mill Fabric on sand. They were both perfect. There's one still growing on sand so we'll see about that one. Don't know why, but all that sat on soil rotted. Alternaria or Fusarium maybe? -Steve

9/26/2003 6:51:01 PM

New Brunswick

I used mill felt for my pumpkin lifter. I was wondering tho, how well water would drain through this stuff when used under pumpkins..... does the sand cause any trouble when tilled into the planting area?? My pumpkin patch is 100% horse manure..and was wondering how the sand would mix with this.

9/26/2003 8:03:35 PM

Key West, FL

One thing about sand is I would do something like brat, put something under the sand so things cant burrow up into the pumpkin.

9/26/2003 8:27:45 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I used only sand this year and everyone rotted or mice entered in. Will use fabric on top of sand next year....Tom

9/26/2003 9:15:46 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I used both things and well.

9/27/2003 1:36:19 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

I used the mill fabric on sand this year..Only problem I had and I'm sure I learn more on how to do this is the mill fabric is very rough when trying to position the pumpkin and would scratch it ....I'm thinking more sand on top of the mill fabric to get a better sliding action..some people use 2 pieces of the mill fabric since they slide across each other easily.

9/27/2003 6:55:38 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

I put the sand on top of the fabric.

9/27/2003 2:37:28 PM