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Ankeny, Iowa

I know it's late in the season to be posting this, but I have been reading through some grower diaries lately just to see how the weigh offs are going so far this year. I've noticed a few different methods of shading fruit that appear to have been successful. Some use the traditional pvc shade "structure" with a tarp and others use a simple sheet/ tarp placed over the fruit. In my 17 years of growing pumpkins I have tried both methods and had success. Which method would you all recommend?

9/22/2015 11:11:09 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I lay a white sheet directly on top of the pumpkin. The only time it comes off is if we get rain overnight (which basically never happened after fruit set here in eastern PA). It stays on even while the overhead sprinklers run. They dry quickly in the sun. We bought 6 queen size white sheets from a hotel on eBay for $15.

9/23/2015 7:17:52 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I use both. I start with white flour sack towels when they are young and switch to larger white fabric remnants when they get bigger. If I get a good one going, I add the tarp. Beside giving more shade to the fruit. it keeps more of the rain off so the soil and sand under the pumpkin stays drier. It also gives a little protection in case of hail. If I see a pumpkin isn't going to be real great, I don't bother with the tarp.

9/23/2015 8:00:49 AM

Portland, OR

I use both. Meaning the PVC hoop and tarp AND something to cover the fruit.
I water overhead & want to minimize the amount of water on the fruit and wet conditions around it.

IMPORTANT - esp for the new growers -ALWAYS cover the fruit. Protect what is important to you.

9/23/2015 11:53:07 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Instead of PVC hoops, I just drive in 4 fence posts and tie on the tarp with heavy cord. I set one end low to drain off the rain. Late in the fall I can untie 2 or 3 corners of the tarp and tie it out of the way if I want to warm up the pumpkin ahead of a cool night.

9/23/2015 2:16:27 PM

Colorado

The pvc frame and tarp is a good way if you have misting or live in a area with rain/high humidity. Also if you grow a big plant you cam make something bigger. Check out countryboys diary hes got a big tarp over his fruit. Lots of shade,cool and very dry.

9/23/2015 3:48:10 PM

East Jordan, MI

we use both.
It gets in the high 90s and even 100s at times, I don't think a sheet is enough in those conditions. Also, as stated above, we want to keep the fruit and the area under it dry (which is the reason for the bigger tarp).

We found that where the sun hit the kin it would not only turn colors faster, but that skin would be harder and more susceptible to cracking, by adding a sheet under the tarp on the fruit, the skin stayed VERY young until about day 85 when it finally started cracking some.

9/23/2015 7:18:58 PM

Ankeny, Iowa

Thanks for the input guys. I haven't grown any pumpkins in the past couple years, but I'm hoping I can grow one next year.

9/25/2015 9:49:15 PM

Whidbey Island

I use a blue tarp (State Flag of Washington) and PVC pipes. I like to keep the kins dry and it allows me to put out mothballs and mouse bait without them getting wet. Keeps the critters away. If it gets too cool at night, I have small heaters keeping the area under the tarps warmer.

9/25/2015 10:48:36 PM