Re: startup advice



Beth Rado wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS

BETH,

I USED "VAPAM" ONE YEAR TO NUKE EVERYTHING, YOU APPLY IT IN LIQUID FORM
THROUGH A HOSE END SPRAYER, THEN COVER WITH PLASTIC FOR ONE MONTH.
IT WORKED GOOD, ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT IT HAS BEEN BANNED IN CALIFORNIA.

I HAVE USED TONS OF HORSE MANURE ON MY PLANTING AREA BUT I WAS LATER TOLD
THAT TOO MUCH MANURE STUNTS FRUIT GROWTH.

I MAY TEND TO AGREE WITH THAT.  A RELATIVE SAID HE USED A LARGE AMOUNT OF
ELEPHANT MANURE IN HIS TOMATO PATCH AND HE GOT GREAT LEAVE AND STEM GROWTH,
BUT POOR FRUIT GROWTH. ( AND A BILLION FLIES ).

I ALSO HAVE NOT HAD MUCH LUCK IN LARGE FRUIT GROWTH. NOT JUST FROM THE
MANURE ISSUE BUT INEXPERIENCE, NEMATODES AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO SPEND IN THE
GARDEN.

AS FOR WHEN TO APPLY MANURE IN A FROZEN AREA?
I'M NOT SURE AS I LIVE IN SO.CA. BUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A CABIN IN THE
MOUNTAINS WHERE IT DOES FREEZE.
THE PRIOR OWNER HAS A WATER SUPPLY LINE BURIED TOO CLOSE THE SURFACE OF THE
GROUND AND IT FREEZES DURING THE WINTER.
MY FRIEND WAS TOLD TO BUY BAGS OF MANURE FROM THE STORE AND PLACE THEM OVER
THE AREA OF THE WATER LINE TO KEEP IT FROM FREEZING.   IT WORKED!

MAYBE IF YOU APPLIED A THICK LAYER OF MANURE AND COVERED IT WITH HAY AND OR
PLASTIC IT WOULD DO SOME  "COOKING"  BEFORE SPRING OR THEIR ABOUTS..

BOB T.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index