Re: Limited space question
In a message dated 4/16/2004 2:59:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
RParsonsNP@aol.com writes:
> I have a raised garden bed along the back of my garage. In order to allow
> room for a 20' primary vine I'll need to plant the seedling about 4' from
> the
> garage wall. I'm interested in hearing opinions from the list on how much
> this
> limited root space might curtail pumpkin size - vs. having say 8 or 10' of
> good soil in all directions around the stump?
>
Rick...if your soil is good it probably wont do anything detrimental...the
roots will go in all directions looking for "food". A few things come to my mind
about your situation...I hope you have a gutter system if the roof sheds to
the plant area because in a good rain your stump/plant will get abused if there
isnt. Be aware that reflected sun off the wall may increase temps in the area
near the wall and increase leaf-burn. I use a woven cloth (like a shadecloth)
attached to my house wall along the patch-its set 6 inches off the wall in an
up and down orientation like a curtain so there's an absorbing layer to
minimize heat reflection and sun reflection. Growing along the wall may allow for
earlier starts (due to warmer micro-climates) and later growth...it also will
cause the fruit to mature earlier should you rotate your plantsite each year so
fruit set might be near wall next year....along the wall might be a better
place to grow the long gourd and other heat lovers....just the casual
observations of a pidgeon-hole grower, working with what we havethe best I can.....G
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