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Des Moines, Iowa

Soil compaction seems to be a very big concern to pumpkin growers. As I was cleaning up my patch for the year. I came across the pieces of Styrofoam that held my vine underneath my stem. It got me thinking about potting soil with the little balls of Styrofoam. What would happen if you tilled in ten billion little balls into your patch ?

10/5/2010 10:54:20 PM

New York

You'd probably have compacted soil with ten billion balls of styrofoam. As far as I know, you would need so much to make a difference that it would be impractical.

10/6/2010 6:45:33 AM

South Hero, VT

Here's a link to OVGPG detailing how Christy Harp grew the big one. Good soil preparation plus boards should give less soil compaction. I thought about the styrofoam once, too.

http://www.ovgpg.com/harpInterview.html

10/6/2010 8:15:31 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Check out Don Young's plywood shoes to prevent compaction.

10/6/2010 9:11:02 AM

Bloomington, IN

I think perlite is the name of the 'styrofoam' looking things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlite

"...When used as an amendment it helps prevent water loss and soil compaction."

10/6/2010 3:17:27 PM

South Hero, VT

A velcro strap has replaced the glue and screws on the plywood shoes.

Perlite is indeed the correct name for the "styrofoam balls."

10/6/2010 4:00:41 PM

Springfield, VT

Perlite is not styrofoam balls it is a volcanic mineral product. Vermiculite is expanded mineral (heated in oven). Styrofoam balls are expanded polystyrene foam beads

10/6/2010 5:20:32 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I don't see how that would help at all. It seems like it would hurt the soil more than anything. I would use some type of walking shoes or boards.

10/8/2010 9:42:57 AM