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Minnesota

What makes the best sand, I usually see white sand under the pumpkins. I have also seen brown sand. My question? would lake sand work? or is ther possibly disease's in the sand? and, anybody know how much you might use? thanks
p.s. I did look this up on the site search but there was not alot of info on sand.

7/9/2008 6:46:55 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Good question. Also whats the difference between masonry sand and playbox sand (not to hijack).

7/9/2008 6:57:06 PM

Central Ca

I've always used sand that has been heat treated. I think it's called kelhm baked sand. It wicks away the moisture.

7/9/2008 7:56:28 PM

Jericho Vermont

Richard,
I believe that lake sand would work fine. I believe the difference between play sand and masonary type sand is the consistency of the grains. I have also heard that play sand is rounder grained in nature. Anything that will help the pumpkin slide as it grows would work in my opinion.
John

7/9/2008 8:57:17 PM

Cottage Grove, MN

I've used playbox sand with no problems (lake sand probably fine as long as it is fine, no rocks!), I put hardware cloth (1/4" wire mesh) under the sand to keep the rodents from tunneling up, but make sure the mesh is well buried so as to not hurt the punk as it grows. Make sure they don't get too big before you lift, and make darn sure you have enough main vine slack freed up to make up for the lift, and help if you need it. You want stems well positioned on the main for this effort, go EASY, and plan big, ie enough sand patch to cover a large punk (2-3" of sand deep, 6' circle depending on how confident you are, think forward big wise). The sand allows drainage and for the punk to expand w/o doing damage to the skin. Mill fabric is the best, if you get some, drop some off at my place! Glad to hear the punk is doing well, good here too, pollenating at 10, 12, and 14' out on both now. We'll see, long way to go yet!

7/9/2008 9:08:24 PM

Western NY

Take some of the sand in your hand and see if you like it first. I use masonry sand, because it is a nice consistency, not too gritty, and holds its form fairly decent when you pack it around the pumpkin. plus, quinn told me that's the kind he uses.

7/9/2008 9:10:00 PM

Simi valley, ca

I use washed sand & seems fine, it is 14$ per skip ,approx 1000-1200 lbs, thats enough for about 3 pumpkins !

7/10/2008 10:08:18 AM

Southeast Texas

i use river sand it seems to be fine,i back my truck up to a sand bar at the river and fill it up.the best thang about this sand richard, its free.

7/10/2008 10:32:42 AM

Minnesota

I like roosters idea, "free", not to sound cheap, but, I am,he he.

7/10/2008 12:30:01 PM