Deep watering a pumpkin/melon/squash on a hill?

[jal_ut]

I can't even walk through the patch to look for fruit.

Yep, know what you mean. Those squash take over. I said to my son that I would never plant a double row of squash again, because I can't get into it to harvest. His reply was, "Ya, plant a single row and leave 12 feet on each side."

I guess he was having the same problem. I was looking at my summer squash. I planted in hills of 4 plants to a hill and they made vines that are about 4 feet long even if they are supposed to be bush type. The total area covered by a hill of these guys is about 8 x 8.

Squash are awesome.

[Gary350]

I have done many years of experements trying to grow good melons in TN. I finally learned root growth is the trick. I put 6" of sand on the soil and 3" of peat moss on the soil too. I till it well to mix it well. Then I plant the melon seeds. Roots grow fast and long if the roots are stunted the plants will be too. Plants need full sun if you want ripe melons. Keep the melons dry or they will rot on the soil. I have been setting the melons up on cement blocks to keep them off the humid wet Tennessee soil.

Arizona soil is like potting soil I can did a hole 2 feet deep with my hand, no shovel is needed. I planted water melon and cantalope before I left last week. The automatic water system will keep them growing until I return in 3 more weeks. Soil there is dry so there won't me any water melon rot problems with melons setting on the soil.