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Re: Getting Ready - Already Done!

Marv,

Yes I was rather lazy this past growing season, I guess I will have to
really try next year!

I would like some of your seeds too, I will send you a SASE!

You got that right about compost!  Too much is bad news, I have seen this
happen here in California. Around 8% - 10% organics is great! Get above
this level and you are risking bringing disease into your soil, which will
inevitably take out your plants or severely hinder them thus producing a
small pumpkin. If you start with a 10% to 12% percent organic level in the
fall, you should be around 8% - 9% by spring when it is time to plant.
Remember this is somewhat dependent on where you live, the colder the
climate the longer it takes the soil to warm and become active, thus
microbial action which will begin to break down the organics in your soil!

Good Luck!
Chris Andersen
Moraga, Calif. 

===============================================
> Thank you Chris. In part I am going to count on your complacency and all
the
> great advise and criticism I get as I go along. Your soil does definately
> have a lot of clay compared to mine. I am going to try to make up for
that by
> adding organic materials. I read where someone put so much compost into
their
> pumpkin patch one year that the patch became a compost pile with very
high
> temperatures. I won't go that far. Was the name of the offender a guy who
> also participates in "pumpkin boat races? I'll never tell.
> 
> Marv in Altoona PA
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