Re: Trenching
I would think that trenching would refer to burying your vines in 2 to 3 inch
deep trenches so that the roots which occur at each leaf joint can develop
into "tap roots." (Not to be confused with tree tap roots.)
The alternative to trenching is to throw a shovel full of dirt over each leaf
joint to get the root growing. However, the dirt can be washed away in the
watering process, and also, because the hill of dirt sticks up above the
ground, it will dry out faster than the surrounding soil, thus not
encouraging roots, which need water or they will refuse to cooperate. Also, a
hill of dirt will get warmer than the ground around it, promoting the dreaded
"vine roast!" on hot days.
So trench, or your pumpkin is likely to come up as a GREEN squash, if at all.
}: - )
John
Zone 9 or 8, and maybe 7 if the weather doesn't get better.
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