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Wi

I feel good drainage is one of the biggest keys to growing a whopper pumpkin. Circumstances today reminded me of this thinking.

We had .85" of rain about 9:00 today. I went home at lunch and guess what I did for 45 minutes? Yup...burried vines and no it wasn't muddy. Nice crumbly soil. My soil is sandy loam with some clay as well.

Deep tilling, decent OM, no compaction....etc...etc...can all lead to good drainage.

7/9/2013 2:35:44 PM

Muddy Waters

I agree my soil drains real fast also the sand has really helped.I was mostly clay 10 years ago.

7/9/2013 7:01:19 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

16 days straight with rain here and I've been able to keep up with the burying with each 2 feet of vine growth due to well drained soil. I DID roto-till the perimeter two days ago to reduce the inevitable compaction and it helped tremendously. Arguably the best plant I've had in my years of growing and it thrives in all this rain. Systemic and foliar fungicides being applied at more than normal rates.

7/9/2013 9:56:07 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I must also add that the addition of Wet-Sol lubricants has been a Godsend for improving drainage and nutrient distibution.

7/9/2013 10:03:35 PM

Ohio

Wish my patch was luke yours Chris, my patch ' I thought' had good drainage but after about 20 to 30 or more inches of pretty good loam soil mine then hits solid clay, My patch can take alot of water and drain off very fast but 15 days of straight rain is a diffrent story, that much rain the only place for water to go is up! Lol... I think what would have helped me alot this year if I would have used a sub soiler for better drainage, its been about 3 years since I have done this to my patch.

7/12/2013 6:50:46 AM

Ohio

Best wishes TruckTech1471 now you and Lisa are down to one plant! I hope it grows you all a monster.

7/12/2013 10:53:37 PM