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Location

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Date Posted

Pennsylvania

What should I put under the fruit? I was thinking a pallet with carpet on it to cover the slits would work pretty good.

3/15/2009 12:13:26 AM

Midway, UT

I used a good pile of play sand last year with some weed block underneather it so nothing could dig up under the pumpkin. Worked great with no problems.

3/15/2009 1:18:05 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I like using mill fabric, it keeps star moles and mice from coming up underneath.

3/15/2009 1:58:46 AM

Ohio

Sounds like a plan Im gonna try Arvadaboy, good idea on putting the weed block down before I put my Mill Fabric down. I was always pulling weeds on the outside edges of where my pumpkin was growing. Thanks for the idea!

3/15/2009 5:14:35 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

General construction sand is cheaper and, on top of mill fabric, allows you to move the pumpkin more easily when necessary. I wouldn't use carpet. I think it would retain moisture and invite rotting.

3/15/2009 9:01:23 AM

Georgia

I use insulation boards with some sand on top of them. Never had any problems and never had one rot.

3/15/2009 11:40:02 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Never grow on the pallet..the Pumpkin is soft and will form into the slats. Also as stated before carpet will rot.
Mill Wire Fabric or Sand is your best choice

3/15/2009 12:15:43 PM

Western PA

I use Weed block and sand on top. I wait till the pumpkin gets to about 50 to 75lbs before I put it down. at 3 or 4 bucks a bag might want to buy bulk to save money.

3/15/2009 2:14:17 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I tend to put the mill fabric under at basketball size, if it aborts after that it's easier to clean up the abort than to shove fabric under it when it's heavier. Only one that's hard is to remember to put it far enough under as that pumpkin will grow towards the vine too!

3/15/2009 9:39:43 PM

Pennsylvania

Ok, the pallet and carpet idea is bad and I don't have mill fabric. How bout a tarp?

3/15/2009 11:04:42 PM

Vancouver Washington

Don't use a tarp...It will collect water in the low spots.

3/16/2009 12:11:01 AM

Vancouver Washington

I would go with pumpkin pickers idea..weed block. Double it over a couple times if you have moles. You can get a good size roll for about 15 bucks It is a fairly inexpensive alternative to mill fabric. I have used it the past two seasons with great results. I would put sand on top of it - to help if you need to shift the pumpkin. You can also use the heavy fiberglass window screen mesh. Walmart has 4 ft wide by 7 feet long for 14 dollars. That would be enough for two pumpkins.

3/16/2009 12:26:12 AM

White Plains, NY

Piece of plywood cover in plastic (allows the pumpkin to spread more easily) Install at an slight angle so the water runs off.

This will also encourage a flat bottom and is a great assist when movement is needed.

3/16/2009 7:27:49 AM

Western NY

masonry sand. alone or in combination with mill fabric

3/16/2009 9:13:38 AM

Pennsylvania

Wait a sec, why couldn't i use a tarp if you can use plywood covered in plastic? Wouldn't they both collect moisture?

3/16/2009 3:09:23 PM

Western PA

You could use a tarp if you wanted, but I would definitely do some type of perforation to it (Poke a bunch of small holes in it so it will not hold water..) I would still use sand on top.

3/16/2009 9:16:25 PM

Utah

I use wood -Cedar fence slats- with a layer of sand, then the weed block. the wood holds up fine and you can add on in any direction as needed as the pumpkin grows.

3/16/2009 11:33:45 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Sam, too much thinking...if no mill fabric, then just a big pile of sand. Works like a charm.

3/17/2009 12:01:43 AM

Long Island,New York

3/4 plywood with two sheets of mill fabric...plywood at a slight angle for water runoff

3/17/2009 8:23:38 PM

The recipes here are starting to sound like a seven layer nachos.

Mmmmm...nachos...

PS - Jordan nailed it.

3/18/2009 9:01:10 AM