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Fresno, CA

I have read on numerous websites that I should bury my pumpkin vines. I don't know how deep, how wide or how long to make the soil pile that I put over the vines. This is only my second year growing pumpkins and I would love advice (or even better vine pictures) from someone more experienced. Below is all of the background information on my planting situation if that helps.

Using commercially sold Atlantic Giant (Dill) seeds.
Main vine about 16' long now. As of today (6/22/09) I have one volleyball sized pumpkin and two mushball sized pumkpins on my plant on three separate branches. I live in Fresno, CA which has hot dry summers (up to 110F) but so far it hasn't been as hot as usual. My vines are growing out over a backyard lawn. Last year was my first year and I got one 75lb pumpkin. I had a late start on pollination. Growth later in summer/fall was minimized by powdery mildew and aphid situation which damaged plant significantly. I will be more proactive about that this year. Also I pollinated way earlier this year. Any specific advice you can give on how much soil to use when burying vines would be appreciated! Thanks.

Jason

6/22/2009 4:32:17 PM

Whidbey Island

Just run a shallow trough about 3 - 4 inches deep right in front of the secondaries and run them in there, back fill with soil. Use mycorrhizae at each node. Hold down with a brick or rock over the soil or bamboo stakes. Good luck.

6/22/2009 5:54:20 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

I don't bury the main vine.

This year I will not bury the secondary vines at all, but I will be spraying for SVB's.

Last year I had an issue with rot, and the year before I had no issues with it, so even though a lot of guys bury them, I am not doing so this year.

6/22/2009 11:25:42 PM

Ohio

I take re-bar and spread it out through out the entire patch in a square type pattern(remember to use walking boards, you dont want to compact your soil), I will then call a concrete company for them to bring in there mixing truck and have them back it as close to the patch as possible... I then back fill the entire plant area with concrete about 4 inches thick,,, Only bad part about doing it this way is you will find this is a bit pricey, especially if you have a lot of plants growing.

6/23/2009 5:12:14 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sand bagger.

6/23/2009 9:35:17 AM

Fresno, CA

Thanks for the advice Whidbyeypumpkinman and meathead320. As for the last two comments I have to admit I don't get the joke.

6/23/2009 3:18:10 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Brooks seems to have gone to the Glenn Andrews school of sandbagging.

6/23/2009 9:59:44 PM

Ohio

I only go to the best sand bagging school in the country Steve,,,lol!!! Glenn is not only the owner of that school, hes also a client...lol

6/23/2009 10:20:27 PM

Rhode Island

kinda tough to bury vine that are growing on top of the lawn. just about impossible id guess.

6/24/2009 8:08:17 AM

Fresno, CA

I have buried most of the vine. On some spots I just cut the grass as low as possible and added soil. On other spots where roots hadn't developed yet I dug out a narrow trench and buried.

7/1/2009 3:51:38 PM