Re: New Grower..needs help

Rick-your not a wimp,but I don't think what you plan will work too well.My
neighbor did what you are hoping to do and had a few problems.The root
developement at the leaf nodes was not very good at all-the grass area wasn't
soft enough for good penetration.Those stinking vine borers found lots of good
hiding places among the tall growing ,no longer mowed grass,and the
insecticides didn't penetrated the grass ddown to the pumpkin vines.He
eventually lost the plant to mildew as the grass was wet every morning to
morning dew and took forever to dry due to poor air circulation.He lost his
gentlemans bet with his neighbor by 368 pounds and to add insult to injury,he
triedto attach  a water wick to the pumpkin's stem to assist his
underdeveloped roots and blew up his 50 lb pumpkin!!!!
 You dont neccessarily need 1200 square feet to start off with either....and
as long as you work with the family you have a better chance at success in
your first year.Here's what I did in my first year:
I rototilled an area of about 450 square feet of sunny back yard and prepared
it for pumpkins.My wife thought it was a little excessive at first but I
promissed to sod the whole yard if it didn't work out(deal#1).I built a tree
house for the kids alongside the patch to replace lost play area(deal#2)Now
they stand watch for hungry squirrels and the occaisional pirate ship from the
pumpkin lookout tower.They are out of Mom's hair for a while and that makes
her happy(deal#3).If everyone is involved or if they think they're
involved,the size of the patch seems to become inconsequential.I let them name
the pumpkins(deal#4).I let them decorate and carve after the
weighing(deal#5)My wife enters the second biggest as the pumpkin widow-she
likes that,it makes her happy (I win).The kids have the coolest Daddy in the
neighborhood
because he grows giant pumpkins(that makes the kids happy about growing
pumpkins on their soccer field/backyard.Happy kids=happy Mom=happy Dad=bigger
pumpkin patch next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  PS-here's a little trick I learned....if you let the vine run out side the
patch onto the grass in 5 foot incriments,and cover the vines with soil,in the
fall when you pull those vines up the grass has died,looks terrible,and nobody
minds that I extended the patch by200 sq.feet !!!!!!Looks like in 4 more years
I'll have my 1200sq.feet afterall!!! Also,dont forget to spend your winnings
on the wife!!!!All in all,I think I came out ahead......even though I have to
do that new kitchen extention I promissed her too..Glenn
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