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Webster, NY

Just wondering what people think about needing to change growing area's every few years or so. Does one plot get worn out even though you keep adding amendments to it? As a "back yard grower" I don't really have much more space to play with, and it seems the second and third years that I've grown were my best. Have I peaked or do I still have a chance with the space I have.

Thanks
Dave

10/28/2013 7:00:21 AM

NSW, Australia (barracatcher7@hotmail.com)

Leviticus 25:3-6

10/28/2013 7:25:48 AM

Upa Creek, MO

I am in the same boat. I peaked my first year and got worse each year after, but also picked up some soil disease this year. I'm going to treat the area with Banrot, Heritage or something. I'm also just going for fun now so I'll add a few ferts and gypsum, but not doing a soil test. Micromanaging my soil has been my downfall.

10/28/2013 7:35:37 AM

Springfield, VT

The best option is to rest the area every few years. I many cases it is not an option. The biggest issue is with diseases building up in the soils. The vines must be cleaned out of the patch each year to limit this. To keep the diseases down I rotate the stump location in the patch from one end to the other.

10/28/2013 9:31:08 AM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I agree with vtwilbur. Disease and pests will build up after time if not rotating. Just look at a cash cropper, they rotate for a reason. It also gives you a chance to put in some good cover crops on the empty patch!!! If you can't rotate the patch, clean out all debri from pumpkin and definitly use cover crops to confuse pests!!!

10/28/2013 9:50:17 AM

Rhode Island

dave
ron and i have three growing areas that we rotate in and out of .
we ammend patches in the off years with various cover crops and ammendments just as if we were growing pumpkins but instead, we are just keeping the soil rich and healthy.

if you dont rotate growing areas? your just asking for trouble. even in the second and third seasons.
we know because we have experienced all this several years ago.disease is the biggest killer we face in patches we continue to grow the same crop in.

pap

10/28/2013 10:52:16 AM

Wi

First year soil is the best soil.

10/28/2013 11:29:07 AM

Webster, NY

Thanks everyone. Maybe next year is a year off with a cover crop on it. I enjoy growing and it will be tough to hold off a year. (maybe I can get a friend to let me grow somewhere else????)

Dave

10/31/2013 8:31:51 AM