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Joliet, IL

besides using mill fabric and sand for the first time, this will be the first time using white sheets for shading. i have used tarps and rebar in the past and will try the sheet method this year to prevent the pm under the tarps. sherry larue posted that they keep the white sheet off the stem to keep it dry. that makes sense. does anyone use a stake or something to support the white sheet off the blossums and stems? and some have posted a double thick white sheet. is any one type of white sheet better than the other? do you want a thinnner sheet so it dries out quicker or a thicker sheet to help reflect more sun? and i imagine some rocks in the corners to prevent wind blowing the sheet off would be the way to go. once again, any advice is a appreciated greatly.

6/22/2008 9:55:52 AM

Frankfort Oh

Shazzy my wife came up with the best idea ever,,heres how we use the sheets ,,,you need three ,,,3/8 rebar,,,3 ,1/2 inch pvc ,,,one sheet,,,,,,my wife then makes 1 inch loops with the sowing machine,,,,,on both ends and the middle ,,,,,,then push the pvc ,threw the loops ,,put on pvc,,and there you have it ,,a hoop house made from a white sheet ,,unstead of plastic,,,hope this helps ,,Rob,,,P,s this is how we do all our pumpkins ,,and the last two weeks before weighoff ,,we open up to the sun,,,,before and after the highs of the heat ,,this brings out the color ,,of your pumpkins

6/22/2008 10:26:05 AM

Frankfort Oh

p,s ..the pvc ,, is 12 feet long

6/22/2008 10:27:03 AM

Washington

Shazzy, Right after pollinating we cover with dollar store laundry baskets with a towel over the basket to keep out sun. The basket also keeps birds from pecking the young pumpkin. Then just before the pumpkin has outgrown the basket,we remove the basket and drape the sheets right on the pumpkin. We just make sure that we don't cover stem or blossom. Our plants are watered overhead so the sheets get wet with each watering session (4 times per day). As it gets colder (early Septemberish) we add blankets over the sheets. We also spray our liquid calcium on the sheets during the season. Sherry

6/22/2008 3:14:10 PM

Joliet, IL

thanks sherry, much appreciated info,
jeff shenoha

6/22/2008 11:35:08 PM

Joliet, IL

thanks rob. i appreciate the info,
jeff shenoha

6/22/2008 11:39:19 PM

Rhode Island

the klu klux pumpkin sheet ?

6/23/2008 5:37:17 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Pap we make holes in ours to look like Charlie Brown's Custome.

6/23/2008 2:06:02 PM

Rhode Island

lol

6/23/2008 8:59:55 PM