[sazhig]

We're 3 weeks into clearing our new plot....hope to have 2 or 3 beds dug over in the next week or so for my collection of seedlings sitting in pots on my patio...but I have 12  :blink: pumpkin seedlings (Jack O' Lantern) that definitely won't fit in that dug section  . I was planning on covering the top section of the plot with plastic and card to stop the weeds growing any more while we dig over the rest....then it occurred to me that maybe I could plant the pumpkins through the cover...anyone done this with any success?

I've never grown pumpkins before anyway so would welcome any pointers 

[Salmo]

 -Mark the positions where you want to put the pumpkins with a stout stick.
 -Dig a spade size hole at each stick, tip in half a can of water,  fill it with manure or  compost.
 -Start with your sheet rolled up and placed along one edge.
 -Unroll the sheet until you come to the first stick.
 -Cut a hole in the sheet and stick the stick though it.
 -Continue unrolling and cutting holes at each stick until you have unrolled all the sheet.
 -Plant a pumpkin through the hole by each stick.
 -Water them in and stand back.

[sazhig]

Thanks Salmo 

Any particular reason to dig & manure etc before I lay the plastic? Or is it just easier?

[SUTTY1]

i think salmo said because it easier, they hungary devils and prefare loose soil
I'd put them in 2-4ft apart and they'll fill a good bit of land

[SUTTY1]

oh and they are thirsty so plastic help to retain moisture

[drcath]

My whole patch is covered with green sheeting (the sort builders use to protect half finished projects from the weather). I cut slits in it to make rows and holes for bigger plants like cabbages and pumpkins. I tried Turk's Turban last year and they almost took over the whole patch. Your pumpkins will be happy to grow through black plastic. I think you can do the same with potatoes, but I've never tried. Good luck.

[sazhig]

Marked out the pumpkin patch this afternoon with some old chair back spindles and dug out 4 of the holes. The whole area is about 30ft by 20ft with the stationed spaced out by 5-7ft. So plenty of room for them to romp away. Shall go back with more compost tomorrow and carry on ...hopefully the wind will die down enough for me to start laying the plastic as well...was blowing a gale today so saw no point in trying 

[sazhig]

The 3 biggest seedlings went in the ground yesterday and looked very happy this evening