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Direct Planting Method

There have been a few questions on the Direct Planting Method in the last few
weeks so I thought I would ad some info.  I live in a valley and in most
years it gets very cold in late August and early September with a killing
frost by 9/15.  I developed this method in the mid 70’s for Butternut Squash
and have adapted it to Pumpkins.  Almost every year I would have Butternut
that would  miss being mature by 2 weeks.   I plant a month early with this
method but this doesn’t get me 4 weeks ahead in the season.  It nets about 2
weeks because plants grow slower in the cooler weather.  Many people comment
that a month early will give me a Pumpkin a month earlier which is too early,
but that is not happening.  Two weeks early is perfect for me and really
makes a difference.  You have to be part weatherman to make this method work.


                                EARLY PUMPKIN GROWING TIPS


· When growing under a cover, especially glass, watch the moisture level.
 They can dry out fast even in wet weather.

· Never fertilize with granular fertilizer, they give off a gas that can burn
the vegetation in an enclosure.  Use a liquid fertilizer, preferably a mild
one made from Fish or Seaweed.

· Pumpkin leaves will often be lighter in color during cool weather giving
the appearance of lack of nutrients.

· Avoid fertilizing in cloudy weather, it will encourage growth that may not
be adapted to sunlight and may burn when the sun comes out again.

· In areas effected by this pest it is very active in early Spring.  Corn
Seed Maggot, eats the seeds before they can germinate, making it look like
the seed was infertile.  Treat seed hole with an insecticide that is listed
for maggots of any kind.

· Beware of Ant activity around your young plants.  This could mean they are
farming Strawberry Root Aphids on your young plants.  When you thin your
Pumpkin Plants look for greenish blue aphids.  Treat with the same
insecticide you would use on ants.


See the complete article on this subject on Dan’s Web page.
 http://www.athenet.net/~dang/pumpkins.html

Good Luck

George Brooks
N. Tewksbury, MA USA
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