The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Margery McGowan on June 10, 2015, 11:09:15 am
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Silly question for anyone? I have grown pumpkin from seed and the small plants are now ready for planting out. I only have a small garden but do have horses who live out and produce lots (and lots!) of manure. Can I plant my small pumpkin plants into the manure heap or would I be better to just plant them in huge trugs that I can move around the garden to the best sunny position? I have never grown pumpkin before so haven't a clue!!
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Do you have a well rotted manure heap? Fresh manure of any kind will burn plants. If you have an older heap, then yes you can plant your pumpkins in it. You need to dig out a hole about 30-45cms square (or round :) ) and fill it with compost or soil, then plant out your young plants into that. The cube of normal soil will give them something to live in, while their roots go down into the manure. Pumpkins also need a LOT of water :garden: You should get monster pumpkins :squash:
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... or would I be better to just plant them in huge trugs that I can move around the garden to the best sunny position?
I dont think you will be moving them around as they spread out and the pumpkins would be difficult to move once they reached a decent size.
If the compost is rotted then it should be fine but I usually dig a hole and fill it with the most rotted manure - this would be fine in the trug - just moving them around might be an issue.
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Get a length of drainpipe or a 2ltre drinks bottle with the bottom cut off, Plant this next to your pumpkin plant ( bottle with narrow end down) and water from this.