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Hinckley MN

With my heavy clay soil I am really going to try to avoid compaction this year. I have walking boards to essentially "edge" each 28' x 30+' plant space. Do growers also put boards going in toward the main vine every 6-8 ft and parallel to the secondaries? also daily OTT measurements really compacted the soil around the fruit last year. Is that where "patch shoes" fit in? Essentially a snoeshoe for the pumpkin patch?

3/13/2012 11:28:41 AM

Deer Park, WI

yes on the walking boards along the main. negative on parallel to the secondaries. yes on the use of snowshoes.

btw, a growing using snowshoes in july is one of the hallmark's that you've gone over the edge and are a true fanatic. Ya might show up on an email forward somewhere in cyber space. just sayin'

3/13/2012 10:03:22 PM

Joliet, IL

I use walking boards parellel to secondaries. I use small 3 to 5 foot pieces of scrap wood I find at work that is narrow like 4 to 6 inches wide. These are easier to place in between two secondaries and can be placed a step apart. I am a true believer to having good access to the main all season for inspection and doctoring when needed. Using snow shoes while walking between secondaries to access the interior of a plant sounds like a recipe for disaster for my fat clumsy ass. Lol. I leave mine in place all season and put them in every 5th row. You can always have 2 or 3 of these pieces on hand and lay them when needed to access interior and them pick them up and remove on the way out. The key is to avoid direct foot pressure. Dispersing the weight is essential because the direct pressure from one individual stepping foot has more direct pressure than a tractor tire.

3/14/2012 8:59:47 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yeah, if I wore snowshoes or something similar I'd step on vines, and then fall right into the center of the plant crushing everything. For those who can do it safely, more power to ya!

3/14/2012 10:10:27 AM

The North Coast

I use an old set of water skis...they are tricky in my sloping patch. I had to ride them down on numerous occasion. Looking into anything better this year, if not I could blow some ligiments or something worse like damaging the plant.

3/14/2012 11:00:24 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Even stepping stones (pavers) help. Some places you don't need in there often but when you do you do...

Wading through your patch sure keeps you in shape sometimes...

3/16/2012 8:37:20 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Two years ago when I first started with store bought AG’s, I’d keep the boards elevated by placing both ends on stacked bricks. Given where the bricks were, it would get very compacted. I had a few mishaps and came down pretty hard on the plant so I avoided last year. But, if there are any tight rope walkers growing AG’s, I’d highly recommend.

3/16/2012 8:59:33 AM

Nottingham, UK

What we need are some rope/zip lines across the patch so we can hang above our plants. Just imagine my fellow allotmentors seing that. They already think I am balmy for giving up 2000 sq ft for only 4 pumpkins!

3/16/2012 11:30:29 AM

Minnesota

I'm going to dig a few trenchs (whatever they are called)for water drainage. You can see them in Chris wwr holder's patch, might help.

3/16/2012 12:28:41 PM

Minnesota

I should say I seen them in Chris's diary, the same year he grew the wwr.

3/16/2012 12:29:40 PM