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Upstate S.C.

Can someone help me with this. I need something simple, I started out with a chair now my pumpkin has out grown it. I bought some tarps from lowes but cant figure out a good simple way to get them up. Down south it is very hot and I really am in need of some shade. Thanks in advance

7/29/2008 10:00:36 PM

Deer Park, WI

Get yourself two pieces of 10ft, 1/2" PVC pipe. You'll also need four 8" metal rods. (chunks of rebar work great). Im also assuming your tarp is roughly 8' x 8' with grommets.

Pound a metal rod into the ground, on the left side of pumpkin, a foot or so towards the interior of the plant. Pound a second metal rod into the ground, on the left side of the pumpkin, at a distance away from the first metal rod that is equivalent to the length of your tarp. these rods will "anchor" the PVC pipe. slide one piece of PVC onto the first and second metal rods. Bend the PVC in an arc, over the top of the pumpkin, to the right side of the fruit. estimate where the third and fourth metal rods need to be place to maintain tension in the PVC arc as well as allowing you enough room to sneak under and measure. Pound in the stakes. slide the PVC over the rods. You should now have two arcs perpendicular to the length of your pumpkin. Using string, twine, or something equivalent, loop it thru the grommets on the tarp and tie it to the pvc. The ties should slide along the pvc, allowing you to "open" up the enclosure for a bit. If you dont want the tarp to slide, put a 1" metal screw in the pvc and tie the string/twine to that. voila, pumpkin enclosure.

7/29/2008 10:17:15 PM

Minnesota

Go to the main page click on Links, go to Maine pumpkin growers, click on shade structure, might be helpful.

7/29/2008 11:11:02 PM

South East

4 poles in the ground and a blue tarp in beween above the pumpkin. make sure the tarp isnt to close on the pumpkin. attach the tarp with rope on the poles.
And water your plants during daytime, mist them. thats essential in sc.

7/29/2008 11:28:05 PM

Somers, CT

I'm with Frank. Agway sells 4-5' tomato stakes. Get four, pound them into the ground and tie or staple or nail a blue tarp to it. Make sure the stakes are in good.

7/30/2008 8:35:42 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Make sure that you put the cover on in such a way that it will not collect water and come crashing down all at once.

7/30/2008 11:56:19 AM

Chagrin Falls,Ohio,USA

I hear talk about just using a white cloth over the pumpkin instead of any tarps. Easier and less mold issues.

7/30/2008 12:06:24 PM

southwest MO

Your pumpkin will likley BAKE and mature far to quickly in you South Carolina temps if you use only a sheet. Listen to the cooks.

7/30/2008 1:32:35 PM