Pumpkin label
Common name: Pumpkin, winter squash
Botanical name: Cucurbita maxima
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Aspect & soil: Sun; deep, moist, fertile soil
Best climate: All, but in cold areas wait for warmer weather
Habit: Annual vine
Propagation: Seed, seedling
Difficulty: Easy
Pumpkin patches are generally messy, sprawling areas where rats often find the fruit before you do. What’s more, the best ones always seem to pop up, inconveniently, in a compost heap with nightmare management issues such as rambling.
We have the solution!
Not only can you grow pumpkins vertically but you can power-charge them by using organic waste recycled in your compost bin to produce bountiful fruit in a tidy fashion.
STRUCTURES TO GROW ON
There are myriad structures to grow pumpkins on, from existing vertical arrangements like a pool fence or brick wall to your own pumpkin pyramid. I trained pumpkins onto existing pool-type fencing that divides my orchard from my dog’s play space.
An open structure like a pool fence provides premium sun exposure and airflow and has a generous length of training space and plenty of attachment points for tendrils. Look around your property, balcony or courtyard for opportunities. Position a domed compost bin or similar near the climbing structure, as shown in top right photo.
Tip: Wherever you position your pumpkin plant and compost bin, make sure they receive sun exposure for the longest part of the day and year.
Bu hikaye Good Organic Gardening dergisinin September - October 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Good Organic Gardening dergisinin September - October 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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