Pumpkin Planting!

[barrybro]

I would really like to take credit but all of this was my wifes idea. We lived in the city two years ago and she had a vision to do this. Ultimately she would like to be open 5-6 days a week but until our kids get a little older we are just doing Saturdays.

She has done a lot of research, even visiting a farm in St. Louis which she really admires.

The slingshot is currently dissasmbles so I will take a few pictures of it in that state and you can see it is very basic construction. It then just uses a water balloon launcher.

 

[barrybro]

I agree with you on the chemicals. I am going to try planting rye and then killing back and planting the pumpkins into the residue. It is suppose to help with weed pressure greatly.

Barry

 

[DMF]

I was wondering what you used for a launcher...thanks! How far away did you set up your "targets"? I always wanted to build a Trebuchet to launch pumpkins...maybe some day, but for now your slingshot looks like fun!

I plant winter rye after we harvest and turn it over in the spring as a green manure, but I've read about doing what you suggest as using it for weed control...

 

[barrybro]

I didn't measure them out. I just had my kids start shooting the mini pumpkins and gourds until I had a feel what was short medium and long. Not too scientific. The kids didn't seem to care!

Barry

 

[DMF]

The kids didn't seem to care!

Barry

As long as they're having fun, that's all that matters!

 

[Luremaker]

I agree with you on the chemicals. I am going to try planting rye and then killing back and planting the pumpkins into the residue. It is suppose to help with weed pressure greatly.

Barry

I also read about doing the same thing. I already plant rye every fall as a cover crop. From what I read, you spray roundup then roll the rye flat then plant. Last spring I tried rolling a section (no roundup) of the garden but found it hard to plant in my none tilled soil. Later I thought if only I ran my cultivator first to break up a row for the seed it might work better. If you give it a try I'd like to hear how it works out. Weeding has got to be the worst part of any garden.

I'd also like to see a closeup of your pumpkin sling shot.

 

[barrybro]

I will try to take some detailed pictures tonite and post them.

I have added a few more shots that may give some persepctive.

 

[barrybro]

Guys;

I didn't get a picture last night. I am going on vacation on Saturday and I am scrambling to get everything done in time to go. I will get you the pictures. If I don't have pictures posted by one week from Sunday please leave me a private message.

I am installing drip irrigation on the pumpkins and I have another 275 mums coming today that I need to plant. Oh and I need to go to my real job too.

Thanks

Barry

 

[DMF]

Hey Barry - The pictures you have up now are fine! Don't get yourself in a bind for me.

 

[DMF]

Just got back from vacation and my pumpkin plants are not nearly as far along as I had hoped...everything is behind in the gardens this year...

Anyone else seeing this as well? How big are the plants in your area?

 

[Luremaker]

Just got back from vacation and my pumpkin plants are not nearly as far along as I had hoped...everything is behind in the gardens this year...

Anyone else seeing this as well? How big are the plants in your area?

Rich, my Jack-O-Lantern plants are just beginning to vine, so they are only a week or so behind normal. My Howden plants are anywhere between 8 inches around to beginning to vine, I'd say at least 2 weeks maybe 3 weeks behind. My miniature pumpkins and small gourds look as though they have not grown in 3 weeks. Every night it's been getting down into the low 50's which is insane for July. Days have been anywhere between mid 60's to low 70's. We need at least 2 weeks of warm days and nights (normal July temperatures) to get the pumpkins back on track.

Good news is this year I have not seen a cucumber beetle, squash bug, any fungus or wilt.

 

[barrybro]

My larger pumpkins are vining and have some fruit on them. Mid size are just starting to vine. My small ones haven't done a whole lot. I also have a lot of weed competition right now with the small ones. I am doing a lot of hand weeding.

Barry

 

[DMF]

None of mine are starting to vine at this point...

My wife thinks we're fine but I'm not feeling the same. I had cucmber beetles earlier but one spraying with Sevin fixed that. I've lost a couple of plants to critters but the majority are doing good, just way behind...

 

[dsv farms]

Atlantic giants are starting to vine. Howdens seem to be standing still for last several weeks.

 

[Luremaker]

DSV Farms, welcome to TBN. Here's a few photos of my Jack-O-Lanterns and miniature pumpkins taken last night. The Jack-O-Lantern plants are beginning to vine but the miniatures are growing very very slowly. No flowers yet. How large do your Atlantic's get?

 

[DMF]

Where is your pictures Luremaker?

 

[Luremaker]

Where is your pictures Luremaker?

Here they are! Can't believe I did that. Steve

 

[DMF]

Here they are! Can't believe I did that. Steve

Hey, we all get senior moments regardless of our age now and then!

So...my plants look more like your second picture, probably a bit bigger, but not as large as your first picture.

Think they'll be ready in time? If not, any idea who would buy large quantities of pumpkins AFTER October?

 

[barrybro]

I will not be posting pictures of mine. I have weeds galore. Your field is very impressive!

Barry

 

[DMF]

I will not be posting pictures of mine. I have weeds galore. Your field is very impressive!

Barry

Awww...c'mon...it's not like we never let the weeds get the best of us!

I just tilled between rows this past weekend, but it's rained ever since so I haven't hoed between plants yet...