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Omaha, Ne.

I was hoping to open a peaceful discussion about mulching or plastic to keep moisture in the soil. Especially in the dry heat of the summer. I mulch my tomato plants so the rain doesn't splash on the leaves and create disease. Wouldn't this be beneficial to do with pumpkin plants. Last year for me was a really good year because cool weather a lot of rain. I know so many are going to say disease, but my soil last year was wet. Most of the time and disease, wasn't a problem, that tells me that keeping the soil more moist should be a priority. What you think?

12/14/2014 1:19:23 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have used a thin mulch of fresh grass clippings early in the season. I add more as the vines spread out. Beside holding in moisture it shades out weed seedlings. You have to be careful to avoid getting it too thick, as it can get real hot in a hurry. The thin mulch will break down in a few weeks to add organic matter to the soil. By the time it breaks down the pumpkin leaves will shade the weeds and the soil. Dry mulches like oat straw can be piled thicker without heating, but they makes excellent habitat for mice. If you use good disease preventative measures, like biological fungicides and phosphite systemic fungicides, disease shouldn't be a problem. Keeping the soil moisture even will prevent slowdowns and spurts in growth that result in splits.

12/14/2014 3:03:15 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

good for where i am on a hot day the heat of the soil can burn the tips of the runners off so the plant then doesnt stress through the hottest part of the day i put at least two roundbails on each patch per year they grow across the top of the mulch i think bigger risk of disease when i put soil over vine where leaf is

12/14/2014 8:24:54 PM

Bethlehem CT

I am not aware of many american growers using mulch, I have tried hay with good results. My soil is well drained so it helps to keep the moisture in.( which I like) The biggest benefit for someone like me is the weed control it provides.

12/14/2014 8:30:50 PM

Muddy Waters

Mulch will lead to trouble.Its best just to chew it.

12/14/2014 9:07:04 PM

Northern California Foothills

I plan on using mulch next year for water retention and weed suppression. It should also help with compaction. My area receives very little rainfall from June-October so too much moisture is not a concern.

12/15/2014 10:58:07 AM

West Paris Me.

I wonder if a good amount in the paths could replace walking boards.

12/15/2014 1:12:36 PM

Deer Park, WI

For small and large scale pumpkin production, I use a knocked over winter rye cover as seasonal mulch. This system is gaining popularity among commercial producers across the globe due to its multitude of benefits and has even been the focus of many sustainable agriculture research endeavors. email me for more info if ur interested, I've learned much (99% the hard way) on how to implement the system.

There's a place for it in the competitive patches too, just requires a little extra work.

Here's another option I've used with success in my garden, its called "Weedguard plud". The decomposable nature of this paper makes it really appealing for those who are environmentally conscious. And it comes with pre-loaded nutrients, such as calcium and humic acid, if you so choose:

http://www.weedguardplus.com/

Weedguard would be far more practical in a giant patch, as rows of the paper could be removed as the vines grow across the patch. This stuff is water permeable and it will not let weeds thru, in my experience.

12/16/2014 4:56:40 PM