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Re: The Bed Sheet Method & Overhead Watering!

In a message dated 97-02-18 20:56:37 EST, chrisa@value.net (Chris Andersen)
writes:

<< Subj:	The Bed Sheet Method & Overhead Watering!
 Date:	97-02-18 20:56:37 EST
 From:	chrisa@value.net (Chris Andersen)
 To:	pumpkins@athenet.net
 
 Hi All,
 
 A number of growers hear in California do not build pumpkin shelters.
 Rather they cover their pumpkins with multiple layers of white bed sheets.
 The reasoning behind this as I under stand is that this method is much less
 labor intensive than building a shelter. Also, this method helps keep the
 pumpkin cooler during very high temps vs. a shelter which may not get good
 air circulation resulting in higher temps inside the shelter. Higher temps.
 inside the shelter would obviously cause the pumpkin to become much warmer
 or even hot which in turn may be a possible contributing factor to
 splitting. I would like to use the "Bed Sheet Method" but will be overhead
 sprinkling using timers to cycle the water on and off every 30 or 40
 minutes to cool my plants during the heat of the day. Obviously the bed
 sheets will become wet and keep the pumpkin constantly damp resulting in a
 rotten pumpkin. If I use bed sheets and a plastic tarp I may cause the
 pumpkin to again become very warm or hot. Has anybody out there used this
 method of covering your pumpkins in combination with overhead water! If so
 any advise or thought would be greatly appreciated!
 
 Thanks!
 Chris A.
 Moraga, Calif. >>
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I use a shade cloth, it protects the Pumpkin from the sun but still lets
enough light and air through to help prevent disease.  One cloth that can be
used is a loose weave green burlap that they use as a winter wind break on
shrubs.

George
N. Tewksbury, MA
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