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Grants Pass, Oregon

Can anyone tell be what would be a proper amount of manure and leaves etc to put into the garden? I can get as much of both as I want and I am just wondering if too much would be bad or would it help more in the long run? Also should I just let the pumpkins themselves rot in the garden and then till them under? Thanks everyone.


polka dot

9/23/2001 2:00:12 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

I dont know if I am doing it right but I have put about a ton or more composted manure into my new pumpkin patch.
First I tilled up the ground to about 6" deep,then I spread the compost to about 6" on top of that, then I tilled the patch again in bolth directions as deep as the tiller would go (We have a little Tuffy Troy built tiller)then another 6" of compost and tilled in bolth directions.
Now we stood back and spoted all of the low spots and filled them with compost and tilled again in bolth directions, it is starting to flaten out but, I am also 8" higher than the original grade.
Now the plan is to sread a good garden firtilizer on top of that,I was told that this would help break down the heavyer parts of the compost through the winter, then take the rest of the truck load and spread it on top and till the heck out of it again.
Right now it is looking excelent and now Polly wants me to do the same thing to her garden, EEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!! What have I got myself into???????
Anyway, I thought this was to mutch when I first saw it, now I just hope it works out.
Next year??? we shall see.
H-K-J

9/23/2001 10:34:08 AM

Sloughhouse, CA

I plan to plant a green manure crop.

9/25/2001 1:24:11 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

To much organic matter can be just as harmful as not enough. How big is your planting area? What type of soil do you have? Have you had a soil test? These are all things you want to consider before adding large amounts of manure and leaves. Sometimes it is better to put them in a large pile let them compost and then add to your garden.

9/25/2001 2:07:53 PM

Rexburg, Idaho (brianchristensenmd@gmail.com )

The more the better. I've heard of people putting up to 20 yards of manure per plant. That's a lot of sh___! I put 3 yards on per plant this year and the results have been great. I will try to double that amount this year.

9/25/2001 3:07:15 PM

Ga.

I'm gonna do a soil test,,got cows behind house and across road,,so the dung is no problemo....I want the Ga. state record!!

9/25/2001 4:52:48 PM

Greencastle, PA

Pumpkins are kind of disgusting if you think about it, they spend all day sucking on a big pile of $h*t. Ewwww. hey, jeff, can you spare some of that stuff, I don't know how it'll get here though. I used to take riding lesons, but then the schools barn burnt down the day before thanksgiving the owner grows howdens every year and they turn out great, she keeps them at her house now, I'll see if she'll trade a pile of manure of an AG seed or 2. Best wishes,
Tom Morgan :) I stole your line, Heidi. lol.

9/25/2001 6:13:15 PM

Ga.

tom,,email me,,but you could probably buy cheaper at wmart...your choice..Always willing to help a fellow AG grower...ajandta@earthlink.net

9/25/2001 7:44:25 PM

Leicester, NY

Polka Dot,
An organic matter of around 10% is a good number to shoot for. A little higher or lower than that is okay... Joe P.

9/25/2001 10:36:20 PM

walton n.y.

i would listen to joe he has grown several 1000lb pumpkins i also believe that lots of compost/manure is a good thing

9/27/2001 8:16:03 PM

Leicester, NY

Randy,
By "several" 1000 pounders, you must be talking adding up the weight totals of all my fruit? LOL! See you in Oswego on the 6th! Joe P.

9/27/2001 11:13:01 PM

Deer Park WA

I'm thinking the type, and amount of "Amendment" is definantly related to the type of subsoil you have. Mine for instance is basically crap, I mean clay, so I clean out barns and rototill it in as soon as the plant is out, then I seed with my plowdown cover crop. Sure has helped me.

9/27/2001 11:57:06 PM

Greencastle, PA

Joe, what do you mean by 10%?
Tom
P.S. I sent one of your 652's to Zac Chapmen, I thought you might like to know.

9/28/2001 10:54:03 PM

Leicester, NY

Tom,
That means 10% of my soil is made up of or composed of Organic Matter. If you have a complete soil analysis done, the lab will give you any OM percentage...Joe P.

9/29/2001 3:45:18 PM

walton n.y.

who are you kidding joe we all know you have a sleeper in the patch mine grew another 2 inches this week not what i was hoping for but all growth is welcome glad to see you posting here

9/29/2001 6:28:21 PM