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Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Hi, I know that most people put plywood and sand under their kins I wa§ w9ndering if maybe weed plastic with holes would also work?

8/2/2026 9:09:39 PM

C N Y

Anything that is not of substantial thickness of at least 1/2-inch at a minimum would become a pain for moving the fruit to adjust its angle to the vine, positioning once it is of a good size, etc., unless that material is considered necessary on top of the solid material, hence the need for solidity due to the pending, massive dent in the soil under the fruit. My own fave is RIGID (Brand name) housing insulation that is used in homebuilding to go on all sides of a house being built - 5/8" through 1 inch and thicker, they do make in 4' X 8' sheets. It lasts years if handled carefully and one COULd poke holes in it for drainage -or- with a plywood/RIGID/sand trio that is made not-level by placing soil under it (for roof-like drainage), that would be the ultimate. Not a HH, lol---eric g

8/3/2026 1:01:43 AM

C N Y

PS---Topmost of my priorities is to get each fruit of mine onto any material. Any scraps of same or other insulation are awaiting this. Since they are all like 1-2 ft X 1-2 ft and some only 1/4 of an inch or so thick, putting TWO under a fruit would enable me to *insert* a larger piece at a later date. Been there - had to have done that. It really is quite fascinating, lol. eg

[Last edit: 08/03/26 1:11:54 AM]

8/3/2026 1:06:04 AM

Grittyville, WA

I have not tried weed plastic with holes but it seems like it should work... Is there someone in your area who can advise you on what works best in your area? I once tried using dolomite "sand" and the pumpkins melted underneath... it was a disaster. Good luck, we ought to have "how to" written up for new growers because there plenty of mistakes to be made. Flat is good, but using two pieces of material can be a mistake.

8/3/2026 2:55:46 AM

Bethlehem CT

Maurice I do think most anything is better than soil. But it should be dry!

8/3/2026 7:37:09 AM

Grittyville, WA

Yes if you can avoid the pumpkin ever getting soggy underneath that solves all the pathogens that need water. A lot of them do.

8/3/2026 2:21:28 PM