Re: startup advice

In a message dated 97-12-29 11:01:18 EST, you write:

<< Subj:	 startup advice
 Date:	97-12-29 11:01:18 EST
 From:	rado1000@hotmail.com (Beth Rado)
 Sender:	owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
 Reply-to:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
 To:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
 
 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?   

** If you plow it under it will consume large amounts of Nitrogen as it
decomposes.  remove and compost it for future use.
 
 How can I steer him away from the Roundup?  Is there a better 
 alternative?   

** If you are going to use a weed killer it is about the safest because it is
a contact killer.  It also will not vaporize on a hot day and kill things
around it like 2-4-D will.

 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?

** Try to find 1 year old manure to add it the Spring.
 
 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.

** You can get away without heating cables.  Germination and growth may be
reduced a little.
 
 I am looking forward to comments, suggestions & answers!
 
 Beth Rado

Good Luck
George Brooks
 
  >>
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