Pumpkin idea - would it work?

[Jillyreeves]

Was down to the plot yesterday moving a large pile of dried grass sods that we have cleared when I had an idea

If I piled them up in mounds could I grow a pumpkin in the top of each? They have quite a bit of soil on them, and if they grow in compost bins why not of sod mounds.

What does everyone think? Is it a good idea, would it work or have I gone mad

[GardeningMike]

All I can say Jilly is there is nothing like "give it a go & see". All I can say is that I doubt your humus content will be anywhere near as high as in your compost heap and the roots/leaves of the turf will decay very quickly. Interested to hear what happens though.

[Jillyreeves]

I could mix some compost in between the layers and over the outside of the mounds, this would help I guess

[Two_Sheds]

I did it last year, but grew cucumbers on my grassy mound. They did really well.

[Jillyreeves]

I did it last year, but grew cucumbers on my grassy mound. They did really well.

Thats encouraging TS. Did you add anything to your grassy mounds? Did you feed the cucumber plants at all or just leave them to do their own thing?

Anyone else got any input or advice please.

[Demeter]

What kind of grass / roots etc is it? Couch grass, for example, may not die just because you pile it up and cover it in pumpkin leaves. Nor will nettles, dandelions or creeping buttercup, to name just a few of my favourites! But a pumpkin will probably be big enough and ugly enough to compete... especially if you make sure it is a decent size before it gets planted out.

If it were me, I would get a barrowload of manure and empty it out into a pile, then mound up the turves around it. It'll give the pumpkin something to eat.

The other thing to think about is slugs. We grew a pumpkin on a compost bin last year and although it did fruit (despite the weather and the mildew!) it was quite significantly munched by slugs. Grrrr.

Oh, and water. A mound will dry out quicker. Make sure you have an upturned pop bottle or similar inserted near the base of the plant so you can direct some water towards the roots, at least while the plant is getting established - eventually it will grow deep roots that will be unbothered by drought, but it may need a good soaking or two before it gets that far.

[Snadger]

On one of the Victorian Kitchen Garden programmes Harry Dodson was growing melons indoors in a bed filled with fibrous turf!

[snohare]

Sod it, give it a go ! Try some swellgel mixed in to hold moisture ?
I was going to fill a food digester cone I have with manure and soil (I only have the outside bit) and then plant through holes drilled in the sides, with a perforated pipe down through the middle for watering, maybe an upturned waterbottle reservoir at the top. I'm not sure if my squashes etc are the right sort though. I have very little experience of growing cucurbitae.

[Jillyreeves]

Great idea/advice - Thank you :-)

Keep it coming