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Location

Message

Date Posted

Centennial Colorado

Hi all,
I am wondering the best way to shade a pumpkin. I know about the blanket method, but when I think about I get warmer with a blanket than without one. I am currently using the insulation boards that reflect light. Is there something I am not thinking about?
Thanks,
Leif

7/7/2020 9:56:09 AM

New York

I put a white bedsheet over my pumpkin. The white reflects all the light and doesn’t absorb any heat from the sun. The reason why you get warm in a blanket is because your body creates and releases heat which the blanket catches but pumpkins don’t create heat so there Thalia nothing to warm up the air underneath the blanket

7/7/2020 3:23:31 PM

Syracuse, NY

i guess i just cannot not comment, lol---i just recalled something i did long ago that i should prepare to do several of before my season even begins:
4 posts, about 4 feet high, pounded in around the pumpkin straight up and down, in a square, the front ones lower a few inches for rain directionality; drive in one self-tapping drywall screw per each, pointing straight up; 4 x 4 piece of plywood or VERY durable, rigid material with a very small hole at each corner, to be placed on top of the four posts. put a small metal clip on each screw to retain in-position.
you could even get 'fancy' and make the back two HINGED so you'd have a flip-top shade structure - make sure to put in a stopper post where it would otherwise swing down and hit the plant(!). 'shade', 'shade', shade. challenge yourself, as i should do, lol---eg

7/7/2020 5:05:38 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

White sheet....

7/8/2020 7:25:27 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

On one I am doing time lapse on this year. I used 4 t posts and a white sheet to make a tent

7/8/2020 7:28:33 AM