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Buffalo, New York

i started digging my pits where the stumps will eventually be.

roughly how wide of a circle and deep should each of these pits be?

i will be going 2 flag pattern plants in my 16' x 23' patch. that is all space i have.

the pits will be in opposite corners of the patch with the main vines running 1'-2' from the edge down the length of the patch.

4/19/2008 6:44:00 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

If you have a 16 x 23 ' patch, I would suggest that you make your pit...16' x 23'!!! Seriously, the plant needs all of the patch to grow in!!! Peace, Wayne

4/19/2008 7:22:44 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I wouldn't use a pit all all. Wayne has another way of saying it, but once the plant reaches the edge of the pit, it may experience shock, no matter how big the pit it. Just make a mound and plant in there.

4/19/2008 9:10:53 PM

Buffalo, New York

oh ok thanks guys, i remember reading that guys made pits for there stumps to have.

4/19/2008 9:43:41 PM

Ohio

Im with Wayne and Jordon on this one, LaRue also goes by this theory that your entire patch should be your pit.

Remember to give yourself space from your stump to the back end of your patch.( where it meets the grass) . I see alot where growers will start their seedling about a foot or less from thier grass. I used to plant mine close to the end of the patch as well and not even realize the main stump roots where really growing back in the grass instead of growing inside your patch to where all your patch preping has been done.
When I plant my seedling I like to leave myself at least 12 to 15 feet of space from the edge if growing my plants twards the middle of the patch.

4/20/2008 4:41:34 AM

Buffalo, New York

how wide do the stump roots grow? does anyone have any idea, i have always wondered this...???

4/20/2008 9:28:47 AM

San Jose [email protected]

roots can go way far at least 10' thats why i don t understand people who plant back to back 2' apart you have both plants fighting for nutrients/water

4/20/2008 1:14:01 PM

Somers, CT

Good point Gary. I have heared 6 feet min.

4/20/2008 8:31:12 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Well if two plants are back to back and both sites were prepped, I don't think it would matter as much. Compaction wouldn't be an issue (under the grass the roots may be walked over). I do agree a bit about the fight for nutrients, but I don't think it would be too bad....I am going back to back (2.5 feet between plants) to reduce the # of heaters I need for greenhouses, lol, so I hope I am not totally wrong.

4/20/2008 8:45:11 PM

Utah

I think pits are fine... but you need to have a gradual transistion to the rest of the patch soil.

4/20/2008 10:16:16 PM

Deer Park WA

We always use a "pit" at the planting hole, we dig down 2 to 3 feet in a 6' x 6' area (size of the hoop house)and mix our ingredients (kelp- castings, etc.) about 2" mixed with native back fill. This is where the main root ball will be so it makes sence to us...

4/21/2008 3:36:55 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I used a pit my first year. I haven't since. For one thing it's quite a bit of work. I'm also wondering if a nutrient enhanced pit will cause the roots to be more confined to the planting area, instead of growing longer, in search of nutrients and moisture.

4/21/2008 4:03:10 PM