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Southern Ohio

I can't seem to find any mill fabric for placing under the pumpkins, last year i used just play sand and had my season ended early due to bottom rot from the sand staying wet all the time. Anyone have any suggestions on what to use under the pumpkin since I dont have any mill fabric? I have seen people use the foam insulatin boards w/ sand amd I'm thinking of going this route but wanted to get some feedback from everyone else as to what might be my best choice since I am unable to locate mill fabric.

7/6/2011 10:50:34 AM

Ashby, MA

Last year I used plywood, however, my pumpkin had a cavity. This year I was going to put a bunch of little holes in the plywood and then coat it with some sand to allow the pumpkin to slide. I'm also going to cover the pumpkin with a tarp when I water (or when it rains) to try and minimize the amount of water that gets on the pumpkin and plywood.

7/6/2011 10:58:58 AM

milford, CT,

I've grown on just sandbox sand..I think it is "ok" it doesn't provide the under the fruit protection for mice and other animals. Mark

7/6/2011 12:00:00 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I get sand from the ocean, put plywood under the fruit with some sand to allow the pumpkin to slide. I like plywood with the sand and have never had any issues with mice getting to the fruit or disease entering the fruit through the soil to pumpkin. the sand allows the kin to slide and may avoid the splits that can occur due to restricted movement oof the fruit. Also if you need to move the fruit due to stem issues you still can do it by grabbing the corners of the fruit and moving a few inches. you can do this when the fruit is over 500 lbs. so the plywood does giove you some play and can give you a few more inches that can make or break your season as far as stress is concerned.

7/6/2011 12:19:51 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I get sand from the ocean, put plywood under the fruit with some sand to allow the pumpkin to slide. I like plywood with the sand and have never had any issues with mice getting to the fruit or disease entering the fruit through the soil to pumpkin. the sand allows the kin to slide and may avoid the splits that can occur due to restricted movement oof the fruit. Also if you need to move the fruit due to stem issues you still can do it by grabbing the corners of the fruit and moving a few inches. you can do this when the fruit is over 500 lbs. so the plywood does giove you some play and can give you a few more inches that can make or break your season as far as stress is concerned.

7/6/2011 12:19:51 PM

Ashby, MA

Hi Kenny, do you have holes in the plywood to help water drain?

7/6/2011 3:51:04 PM

Mass

Go to the Equipment for sale post. 2nd message.

7/6/2011 7:22:03 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I actually raise the plywood a bit with some 2x4s many people may do different things but I've always done it this way and had no issues.

7/6/2011 8:56:37 PM

Ohio

The past 2 years, I have just used a 2" piece of styrofoam with holes poked in it for drainage. I now have a couple pieces of mill fabric which I will put on top of the styrofoam. All of my pumpkins have not been real concaved on the bottom.

7/6/2011 11:14:19 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Have you been raising the vine and cutting the tap roots? This will allow the pumpkin to grow a bit more even.

7/7/2011 3:37:36 PM