Raising Sweet Corn, Pumpkins, and Squash.

[Green Power]

This upcoming year (2014) i would like to raise 2-3 acres of Sweet corn. A 1/2 acre of Pumpkins, a 1/2 acre of Spaghetti Squash, and a half acre of Acorn Squash. I would like to use no chemicals. Are there other food plants i should consider raising? What is the best way to water this? Thank you for your help.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Drip irrigation is very handy. It would probably depend on resources and market as best solution.

 

[/pine]

It's a lot more area than I plant but my experience with vine crops like hard shell squash (acorn etc.) and pumpkins is that it is very hard to control weeds...I suggest sterilizing the ground prior to planting...

 

[smstonypoint]

Pumpkins and squash are in the same plant family. Horticulturalists recommend crop rotations in which members of the same plant family are not planted year after year in the same area. Rotation helps reduce the potential for insect and disease problems. You could consider other vegetables such as beans, lettuce, carrots, etc.

Steve

 

[Green Power]

Pumpkins and squash are in the same plant family. Horticulturalists recommend crop rotations in which members of the same plant family are not planted year after year in the same area. Rotation helps reduce the potential for insect and disease problems. You could consider other vegetables such as beans, lettuce, carrots, etc.

Steve

So i may just do Acorn Squash this year instead and not do Pumpkins and spaghetti. or else i may do pumpkins in a different area.

 

[Green Power]

Does Anyone have experience raising watermelons?

 

[smstonypoint]

Does Anyone have experience raising watermelons?

Yes, but it has been a while. BTW, watermelons are in the same family as pumpkins and squash.

Steve

Edit -- For a listing of the plants in the Cucurbitaceae family, see http://www.walterreeves.com/food-gardening/squashpumpkincucumberwatermelon-pollination-explanation/.

 

[TSO]

It's a lot more area than I plant but my experience with vine crops like hard shell squash (acorn etc.) and pumpkins is that it is very hard to control weeds...I suggest sterilizing the ground prior to planting...

I found this to be the case as well, and I was determined to use no chemicals other than a natural deer repellant, so I fought (and lost) the battle with weeds all year.
Next year I may give in and try some type of chemical to manage the weeds. I don't have time to weed them by hand!

 

[Green Power]

What did you raise TSO?

 

[/pine]

I found this to be the case as well, and I was determined to use no chemicals other than a natural deer repellant, so I fought (and lost) the battle with weeds all year.
Next year I may give in and try some type of chemical to manage the weeds. I don't have time to weed them by hand!

Did you sterilize the areas?...the idea is to make any existing (weed) seed rot....you have to cover the area with plastic sheeting for at least 28 days...there are opinions on both clear and black plastic...

If you use natural fertilizer...i.e., manure/litter etc... it should be applied and tilled in prior to sterilizing...

here in the south we have a semi long growing season so it is no problem to treat one areas and a month later move the sheeting for a 30 day crop spread...realize the more area planted the more work...but it pays off if you realize how much of your fertilizer weeds consume...and how fast they grow (and suck up nutrients) in comparison to garden crops...

Did I mention that I hate weeds?