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Rhode Island

KNOWING YOUR SOIL
of the three major factors involved with the pursuit of a giant pumpkin,soil must be considered the number one ingredient.the best seed and all the sun in the world wont mean much if your soil is not capable of supplying a properly balanced source of nutrients.soil balance,and making sure all necessary ingredients (both major @ minor )are made available to the plant when its is needed is critical.
SOILS IN GOOD TILTH
soils in good tilth hold water without becoming soggy (enough good organic matter such as composted leaves,manure,etc,to feed the microbial activity)while at the same time allowing air to penetrate to plantroots and our little friends (the soil organisms)
using a broad fork around the plants edges as it grows also helps improve tilth.
dense compacted soils starve organisms due to a lack of oxygen.and promotes soil diseases as well.
heavy clay type soils are not very good for growing. i prefer sandy well drained soil with a organic matter around twelve percent.
a soil test is a highly, must do, reccommendation.without it? your results will be far less than expected.
more on soil balancing off your test results later.

12/26/2011 10:01:23 AM