Re:
Sue, list
you can start putting small pieces (2ft X 2ft) of plywood or Stiraphome
under the pumpkins as soon as they get soft ball size then when you have made
your decisions to cull or not to cull the remaining pumpkins you can take the
CHOSEN ONES and clear away vines and leaves that will eventually make contact
with it and make room for a 4x4 sheet of plywood or Stiraphome. That is what I
did two years that I grew and it works great.... As it goes for WHEN well I
would do it before you can't safely lift the pumpkin remember you have to lift and
place something under it right where your feet should be to lift a heavy
load. I have to stand on the other side of the runner and have Bob slide the
plywood we waited till the pumpkins were around a 100 lbs so it can make it pretty
hard.
I make my shade structures as soon as I put the final sheet of plywood
under. Since I have removed my leaves and runners around it the sun would tear up
the skin if it were totally exposed. Even inside my "Gregory Cabin" Cloches
(the Best Cloches I have EVER heard of) I still put Clean Linen sheets over the
pumpkins to protect them from Sunlight and to moderate temperature. That is
the way Chris Gregory taught me to do it and it is Great.. Anyone want Picks of
my "Gregory Cabins" And a little Description give me an Email and I will see
if I can get my picks off my Digital camera and send them to you !!!! They are
Reusable and extremely Convenient !!!! Take care !!!
Kevin Smith
Pumpkin Pirate ~ OH wait till you see the "Black Pearl" my best pumpkin
EVER !!!!!
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