[Novice but totally hooked]

Two questions which will probably be very basic to you pros out there but my sign in name says it all......!

Pumpkins.  Mine are growing well and producing small fruit.  I'm worried that with all the rain if the fruit are on the ground they'll start to rot.  Do I need to put them on a bed of straw or anything to keep them off the soil?

Potatoes.  All the plants are doing well but none have started to flower.  However a few of the plants (the ones that didn't have much shade during the really hot spell the other week) seem to be dying.  I kept them really well watered throughout the hot spell so they didn't dry out.  The leaves are turning yellow and keeling over.  Should I leave them or dig them?  I've had a very quick look around the base of the plants and they appear to have a crop but I don't know how substantial.

[mumofstig]

If the spud leaves are going yellow and dying then they are as ready as they are going to be. Up to you whether you dig them or 'store' them where they are for a while....but they will be at the mercy of the slugs
I put bits of old tile, wood or old pot saucers under my pumpkins to raise them off the soil