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Ellwood City, PA, USA

Last year I purchased mill fabric, for this growing season. I was wondering about it's application. Do you place it directly on the ground and set the pumpkin on top, just to buffer the pumpkin skin from the ground? Do you place sand on the ground, to create a bed and lay the mill fabric on top of that, and add more sand as the pumpkin grows?

I was just looking for a clear explanation.

I lost a nice pumpkin last year, due to it being in direct contact with the ground.

Thank you for the advice as usual.

7/14/2011 9:25:21 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I put the mill fabric directly on the ground, and then an inch of sand on top of the fabric, then the pumpkin on the sand. The sand helps you adjust position on the pumpkin to relieve stem stress, as the tiny grains of sand act as ball bearings. Mill fabric can be very abrasive. I imagine that if you move the pumpkin while on the fabric without sand, the whole bottom of the pumpkin could get road rashed and possibly end up rotting. Be careful installing the fabric too. If you cut the fabric yourself, the edges can be extremely sharp. You can quickly put a hole in the side of the pumpkin with one wrong move.

7/14/2011 12:52:20 PM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

It came in a 5X5 sheet I believe. Any recommendations on size, if 5X5 shouldn't be used?

Thanks again.

7/14/2011 1:25:05 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Only you can answer the size question. If you are growing Chris Stevens style I'd recommend the 5' x 5' and if you are growing Smallmouth style I would recommend 6" x 6".

7/14/2011 2:13:35 PM

where do you get mill fabric?

7/14/2011 3:36:03 PM

Buffalo, New York

order it from tom....although i think he mentioned it is in high demand this time of year and he may be out.

7/14/2011 6:25:49 PM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

I got mine from Tom, too, this past winter.
http://www.extremepumpkinstore.com/

7/15/2011 12:58:20 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Thanks guys, we will have it available again soon.

7/16/2011 12:55:13 AM