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Shippensburg, PA

I was reading up on some information found on other websites and I had a quick question. I read on one site that it is good to lay down black plastic on the ground where the pumpkins are going to be planted. I do not know if they meant just the mound or the entire area. Is this a good thing to do? Or is it just something that is not neccessary?

9/15/2009 9:54:27 PM

Rhode Island

black mulch around the young plant helps keep the soil warm in early spring.it holds heat in but also allows for watering and air flow

make sure it can breath as just plain black plastic might prevent adaquate oxygen into the soil (killing the roots)
a small piece say 3.5ft x 3.5ft is sufficient if thats all you are doing to warm the soil.

most growers in cold spring climates use other heating equipment like in-ground heating cables around the base, small heaters in the greenhouse to keep the air warm, a sdditional small covering over the plant each night.

this year we made some small wire hoop houses out of a ridgid fencing material. placed them over the small plant (which is already in a greenhouse ) and covered nightly with a heavy towel or medium weight blanket. worked very well along with our inground heating cables.

pap

9/16/2009 9:28:55 AM