startup advice

Hi Everybody,

I am just back from visiting my Dad in Pennsylvania, who is thinking 
about pumpkins for next year.  I will be asking some questions on his 
behalf, as he wouldn't touch a computer with a ten-foot pole.  Please 
bear in mind that some of his decisions are not what mine would be, so 
go easy on me and just give me some good reasons/arguments to take back 
to him.

First of all, he has decided where he is going to plant this time 
around.  With almost 400 tillable acres available, his chosen spot is in 
a former orchard that has had grass and cattle there for probably a 
hundred years.   The spot is a great location in that it is adjacent to 
the yard, it gets great sun, and it will be easy to water.   He just has 
his work cut out for him in soil preparation.   Anyway, his plan is to 
plow the grass under, then "throw some Roundup on it."   I believe this 
is to kill some of the grass and any weeds.  He says after a week or so 
the Roundup is gone and it won't bother the pumpkins.  (Roundup is 
"Glyphosate, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine in the form of its 
isopropylamine salt".)

Questions:  Is thick, established sod too heavy to just plow under, or 
can that work like a cover crop and add nutrients?   Should he think 
about removing the sod?   

How can I steer him away from the Roundup?  Is there a better 
alternative?   

How about manure and compost?  Is it already too late to add fresh 
manure?  And, should he pile manure/compost on now and plow it in in the 
spring, or wait and plow first?

This spot has about 5000 square feet.  He may plant in a couple of other 
spots as well, but I think this plot will get most of his attention.  
I've got some good seeds for him, and he says he likes the direct start 
method, though I doubt that he would install heating cables.  I may go 
up for a weekend and try to set some up for him so he can use George 
Brooks's method.  I will start some plants indoors as backups.    From 
prior posts about space requirements, I assume four or five plants is 
reasonable for this plot.  He is planning to test the soil as soon as 
the ground thaws.

I am looking forward to comments, suggestions & answers!

Beth Rado



 

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