From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Dillonvale, Ohio

When do you cover your pumpkin? And how do you do it?

7/10/2016 10:04:00 PM

Elk County, PA

Stakes with tarp or just a white sheet u change out when it gets wet. Want to keep the sun off the fruit so always from dap 1 for me. Orange growers will give sun later on in the season.

7/10/2016 10:32:16 PM

Elk County, PA

Also keep that stem dry.

7/10/2016 10:32:37 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I start with the white sheets when the leaves no longer provide sufficient shade. That starts earlier for a good orange one as I cut the leaf at the pumpkin to keep it from scratching it up, I messed up with one this year and it will have a scar from the leaf stalk. When I have one that I think will be special I set 4 steel fence posts and suspend a tarp for shade. I slope it so rain runs off. It helps prevent rot by keeping the soil around the pumpkin dry as well as giving more shade. And it gives sole hail protection too. The sheet stays on to protect from early and late sun. The last 2 weeks the tarp comes off to bring out the color. Make sure the tarp never touches the pumpkin, it can cause a bad burn. Learned that the hard way.

7/11/2016 10:19:02 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I like to cover them early on. I think it may prevent critter damage.

7/11/2016 1:06:57 PM

Aurora

I began with a shade shelter with a sheet and stakes for about a third of my plant covering the fruits. At day 10 following pollination, I placed a damp cloth over my fruit and change out daily. I also have a smaller shade shelter for late day sun angles.

7/12/2016 6:59:06 AM