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Re: top 10 list of mistakes

>Here is a question for the group:
>
>What are the top 10 mistakes made by novice -> experienced big pumpkin
>growers?
>
>	Dan Shapiro




Last year was my first for giant pumpkins, here is a list of some(but
probably not all) of my mistakes last year


 I also included what I plan to do this year to correct for these mistakes


1 Not nearly enough organic matter in the soil---- added 24 cu.ft cow
manure per  100 sq. ft.

2 did not pay any attention to soil compaction---- will walk on 2X10 planks
near base and vines

3 inadequate early season protection of young growth (i think it hurt its
later growth)---- will use George Brook's direct start method and Ray
Waterman's indoor start with outdoor protection

4 not enough varmit control  (groundhogs and rabbits)------(chicken wire
fence and repelents)

5 only partial control of insects (not real bad but enough to
damage)---------   methoxychlor, sevin and biolocical controls, BT and
beneficial nematodes and cultural practices

6 did not cultivate soil deep enough------ (12- 24" inches this year

7 culled wrong pumpkins to early-------- guess better?  later on

8 relied to heavilly on  chemical water soulablesand used them
impoprly----- use more organics and use the chemical solubles more
carefully and use better formulations 15-30-15 early on, and 10-15-30 after
fruit has set.

9 did not have a soil test preformed by pro----- had one done and followed
instuctions from it

10 was not subscribed to pumpkins@athenet.net------ learn even more this year


hope this will help some beginers like me before the mistakes occur
john
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