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Sage, Arkansas

My 4 kids and I are new to growing AG. What is the best way to water these plants, I have read on this board using drip methods, t-tapes, etc. What has worked for each of you. How water does a pumpkin require and when is the best time to water them. Many thanks. I live in Arkansas...so hot and humid summers.

1/31/2005 6:19:21 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The plants will use about 1-1.5" of precipitation per week depending on the temperature.

One inch on an acre = 27,000 gallons so
One inch on 1000 sq ft = 620 gallons

1/31/2005 6:33:35 PM

Sage, Arkansas

Is one method prefered or easier to ensure that plants are watered properly?

1/31/2005 7:37:39 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

T-Tapes are very reliable & like other drip methods, keep the roots moist & the leaves dry. A big advantage especially in humid areas which helps reduce Powdery Mildew.

The trick is measuring the volume of water applied. Overhead watering can be measured with a simple rain gauge or even an empty tuna can. But drip systems require mathmatical equations, flow or drip rate data for the emitters & an accurate & concise knowledge of working water pressure.

Much easier would be a resettable water meter to track the gallons run through the system. I believe Drip Works sell a simple device that can accomplish this. If you plan to purchase T-Tape from them, I'm sure they would be happy to assist you in finding the correct device. I've heard their customer service people are very good to work with this way.

Steve

1/31/2005 11:48:23 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Your gonna try and keep the soil's water content consistent. Allowing the soil to dry out and then watering will have the same effect on the pumpkin. the dry soil will stagnate the growth and allow the outside to harden then watering it will cause it to grow at a remarkable rate. A sure cause for splitting. 2 days of 20 lbs is much better then no growth and then trying to put on 40...You're gonna love these things when they get going!! Grow em Big!

2/1/2005 6:44:38 AM

Montoursville, PA

One must be aware that using drip tape on top of the soil or in the soil both reduces the amount of water needed to satisfy the pumpkin. Most rates as stated above at one to one and a half inches a week are based on overhead sprinkling or rainfall. Very large rates, of evaporation are factored into most common methods, of airborn delivery.

There is very little evaporation when using drip tapes. This is one, of the selling points, for commercial users. Cost of, or availability, of water benefits, to consider.

The humus in the soil or water holding capacity also effects the amount one should deliver. There will be a heck of a difference between 5% and 15% humus in patch. All of this is simply just gaining experience within your own patch and using less dependence on advise of others.

I liked someone's opinion I saw somewhere while reading. The author said. "Consider all advise to be, in part, wrong." "Several years later smile when you have found the average from all that works, for you".

2/1/2005 10:42:40 AM

Walkerton Ont

i water my plants 50 gallons a day each directly to roots. My plants seem to like it, and nice large roots is a result of it

2/1/2005 3:35:03 PM