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I plan to increase patch size soon for next year. Not out. But down. I have a backhoe coming since my back is shot. I double dug last year by hand & gave up too soon. I'm thinking at least 36-40" then backfilled with manure & such.

Any comments with respect to depth & percentages of backfill root zone material?

Steve

Steve

10/7/2003 1:15:25 PM

Tacoma, WA

Personally, I think that 24-28" is deep enough.

Stan

10/7/2003 2:00:15 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I agree with Stan

10/8/2003 6:44:04 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

But you better ask Jerry Rose!

10/8/2003 6:44:50 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Carlos - LOL!

10/8/2003 11:40:20 AM

Southern WI

I had my pumpkin grow out of a mound,a real hill, I was confused thinking of the compost method Geo Brooks talks about, and because I didn't know mound was a term and not the decription. I kept remembering AG's root length around 3 ft. The mound alone was 2' tall and I dug out the roots after I cut off my pumpkin, (took pics but this pc won't show them) I got 36" down and the roots still went down farther. I did this only because all the men, (sorry) I talked to said I only needed to till 3-6 inches. Isn't it basicly, the plant will use the area you give it?

10/8/2003 1:45:54 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I sorta liked Alun's starting method take a look it's in his diary...Alun did the roots go into the bottom compost?
Chuck

10/8/2003 3:18:29 PM

Key West, FL

I just rototilled my patch, maybe 12 inches down, and below that was solid clay. I grew an 880 in that, that was still growing 5 to 10 pounds a day when it split. I'll try to go down 18 inches this year.

10/8/2003 4:00:46 PM

Tacoma, WA

I visited Jerry's patch last April. He has hauled in alot of great soil so his patch is elevated at least two feet above the surrounding ground.

Stan

10/8/2003 5:12:55 PM

Ontario

Roots on the 1373 went down 12 to 18 inches no tap root.

drew

10/8/2003 5:23:35 PM

Stan,
What sort of soil did Jerry add to his patch? Was it compost or just top soil? :-)
Martin

10/8/2003 5:55:11 PM

Liverpool , England

Yo Chuck,
Yeah they go down into the bottom compost, maybe 20" or so down total.

Alun

10/8/2003 8:06:31 PM