Just over a month to go until the real ones hit the dirt. Looking forward to the 2018 growing season
j.vincent
Feb 7
Discussion
After a few years sabbatical, i will be growing a couple pumpkins in 2020. I plan to keep things as simple as possible with just the two The seeds have not been finalized . The short list includes the 2005 Haist, 1911 Urena, 2114 Wallace, 1871 Bryson and the 1884 Crews. I started the prep last fall on two 850 ft2 planting sites. Unfortunately I didn't get everything i had planned on completed in the fall. Hopefully, i will be able to get in there early. I will be building much larger clotches than in the past. Likely close to 200ft2 each. I'm planning on in ground as well as above ground heat.
Got my patch plowed up today. Soil is nice and loose. Snow storm in the forecast for Sunday....GRrrrrrr.
Soil is so loose I can easily bury my broadfork 14" deep. Going to keep the tractor off the patch from now on and do the rest of the patch work by hand. Hopefully I can keep the soil this loose. Going to build some walking planks this year.
Going to try soil warming cables this year. I attached it with zip ties to a piece of snow fence. Hopefully the fence doesn't affect the root systems.
Hoop houses are in place. When the soil warms and dries up a little I'll bury my heating cables. I decided to cut back to 3 plants this year to see if I can do a better job looking after them.
Seeds started April 15th
One set of soil warming cables burried 2 more to go.
Looks like 100% germination. They should all be up tomorrow.
Plants are ready to go in bigger pots. Looking good except for the 2150. It only devolped on cot and is slow to start.
Planted in 2 gallon grow bags.
Plants will be going in the ground tomorrow if the weather cooperates.
Got my plants in ground today. 6 days earlier than last year. 2002 Tobeck,2363 Holland and the 2150 Skinner.
All tucked in for their first night outside.
Finally had a nice day yesterday 21° back down to 5° today. Plants are surviving but I've got my fingers crossed this cold spring warms up fast!