Re: Conditioning Indiana Clay Soil

Hello,

I never used this on pumpkins, but it worked for pepper squash.

I took a 5 gallon plastic pail, some aquarium air bubbler tubing, and air
bubbler regulator valves (cheap, platic things) and made a drip irrigation
system.

At the base of the pail you put a small hole and put one end of the tubing
in the hole and seal it.  On the other end of the tube you put a valve.
Fill the pail with water, and adjust the valve so that only a drip comes
out at a time.

You just have to fill the pail once daily, and it will deliver 5 gallons
over an extended period.

Sometimes I added water soluable fertilizer to the pail too.

Tom

On Thu, 24 Feb 2000, M.G. wrote:

> Gross amounts of manure compost sounds like a good way to further increase
> the soil tilth in my clay soil.  I have access to the neighbor's old horse
> manure heap, which is sometimes ranked second to cow manure.  I hope that no
> nitrogen deficiencies or plant burn will develop with any undecomposed
> amounts of the horse manure.  I am glad someone can relate to the Indiana
> clay soil.  Just ten feet outside my garden plot, you can break a shovel
> blade trying to penetrate the hard-baked summer soil.  Note that some people
> have suggested using coarse sand or mineral sand to reduce compaction and
> increase drainage and air space.  Still, I have heard other comments that
> such sand or mineral sand may actually worsen the soil.
> 
> Last night I found a 1/2 horsepower water pump and 40 gallon bladder tank
> that I can set up, just for irrigation and perhaps misting on hot days.
> Would like to use current digital timer to trickle water on and off
> throughout the day, but will need to monitor water retention and air
> porosity.  In addition, I found the IPGA to be an excellent organization
> from my initial contact.
> 
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: 	Brad2julie@aol.com [B*@aol.com]
> Sent:	Wednesday, February 23, 2000 10:34 PM
> To:	directart@wiers.com
> Subject:	Hello Indiana Grower
> 
> Brad Wrote:
> Manure, peat, leaves and compost in gross amounts is what many of the big
> time growers are using.
> There is a small group of Atlantic giant pumpkin growers right here
> in Indiana. We even have our own group the Indiana Pumpkin Growers
> Association(IPGA) and website.
> 
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