From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Winnipeg, Manitoba

I always keep my pumpkins covered with old bed sheets, however, when they get wet from rain and watering I always change them with dry ones. Is there a material that is cheap and large that allows the pumpkin to breathe (not plastic) that is water-resistant/proof?

8/16/2018 5:38:30 PM

Colorado

Tarp on top of the blanket would do that

8/16/2018 5:52:36 PM

stoughton WI

Do not put tarps or plastic directly on kin, your asking for trouble, suspend tarp over the kin, like a hoop house.

8/16/2018 7:37:51 PM

Syracuse, NY

Or, make a pumpkin hoop house, just like a real greenhouse but
made of 1/2-inch PVC piping and a tarp attached to it AS the cover with black metal binding clips. never made one small enough for one of my PUMPKINS, but did make 15 8' X 8' ones for my plants in the spring---eg

8/16/2018 7:38:30 PM

Syracuse, NY

lol----i was typing as you were saying---eg

8/16/2018 7:39:22 PM

stoughton WI

depending on weather you still may have to change the sheets once and a while. i havent found anything that is waterproof that would not also hold in moisture.

8/16/2018 7:43:13 PM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Thanks for the info.

I should've been more specific - I've put tarps over the blankets on the pumpkins in previous seasons and I am well aware of that 'method', but as rick j. touched on, I was just curious if there was something waterproof that didn't hold in moisture that exists

8/16/2018 8:17:53 PM

Walhalla, ND.

There’s gortex fabric available waterproof and breathable
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Abu-Digital-Tigerstripe-Camouflage-Stretch-Gore-Tex-Nylon-Fabric-56-W-Military/302419107071?hash=item4669955cff:g:w4cAAOSwI3RW9BaF

8/16/2018 8:49:20 PM

Walhalla, ND.

There are other fabrics that are also waterproof and breathable. True gortex may be a little expensive.

8/16/2018 8:58:16 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

The hoop house I use is made with 24" rebar & 1/2"x10' pvc. Rebar is 6' apart, do 3 of them, so you end up with a 6x6 hoop house, cover it with whatever you want. I'll post a pic in my diary

8/16/2018 9:19:54 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=296325

8/16/2018 9:27:18 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I started using old sheer curtains doubled up over pumpkin and then a white sheet tent over it not touching pumpkin. In high humidity I need it to breathe and a see through sheer curtain doesn’t hold water either when it gets wet. Sheets also hold water around the base preventing sand from drying out faster underneath, and the sheer curtain is very breathable. The white sheet tent keeps it mostly shaded.

Ps. I had no idea what a sheer curtain was till tonight when I asked my wife what it was.

8/16/2018 9:27:58 PM

Walhalla, ND.

One other thing Milan, you might have to do some sewing to make it big enough for those big ones you grow.

8/16/2018 9:32:07 PM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Thanks everyone for all the help and ideas!

Hobbit - true, I do grow big ones, but not as big as yours!
If you grew your 1629 pound pumpkin last year 6 miles north in Manitoba, you'd hold the Manitoba provincial record for a long time!

8/17/2018 1:01:40 AM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=263386

Hobbit, I'm just curious as to how you construct your 'pumpkin tents'. Is it simply a thin, large, piece of plywood attached to wooden posts in each corner - Or??? Looks great and I bet it's very effective.

8/17/2018 1:24:53 AM

Walhalla, ND.

I just removed them. I built them to small, 5’ X 5’, which I guess is a good thing. It was just to difficult to get around inside and do measuring.And yes very simple, I’ll take a picture of one upside down and post it. I didn’t put plywood on top I wanted to keep them light weight. The white material I got from the local lumber yard in town. The lumber companies use this when shipping wood and also has their logo on it. You’ve probably seen them on rail cars. It’s very durable and comes in large sizes. I just cut to size. The lumber yard just throws it away so I get it for free as much as I want. Will post pictures in a few minutes.

8/17/2018 7:44:37 AM

Walhalla, ND.

Pictures posted Milan.

8/17/2018 8:33:47 AM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Thanks Hobbit - nice and descriptive!

8/17/2018 10:53:46 AM

Walhalla, ND.

Your very welcome Melan.

8/17/2018 3:17:39 PM

Sharon, MA

Hi Milan:
90 or even 120 inch diameter Table Cloths which you can get on on Amazon.com breathe and are essentially water proof. Most water just beads up and runs off the Table cloth.

8/18/2018 8:14:01 PM

Little Canada

Absolutely do not use that gortex fabric unless at is completely white.

8/22/2018 10:13:50 PM