Hi Laura,

I'm sorry to hear about your pumpkins.  From what I can see in the photo, it looks like it might be a water-stress problem that may be being exacerbated by the compost--you'd need to get a soil test to be sure, but if too much organic matter is in the soil, particularly animal-based organic matter, you can end up with salt levels that are high enough to prevent the seedlings from being able to adequately acquire water.  

It is also possible that the soil is just hydrophobic, that is, resistant to being thoroughly wetted.  Is the soil around the seedlings damp, and how deeply?

One solution to both of the issues above is really thorough watering to leach out any (potential) excess salts and to make sure the soil is really truly wet.  A light covering of mulch (including pine needles!) will help to keep things uniformly moist while the pumpkins are sprouting.

I hope this is helpful!

Cordially,

John

Hi Laura,

I'm sorry to hear about your pumpkins.  From what I can see in the photo, it looks like it might be a water-stress problem that may be being exacerbated by the compost--you'd need to get a soil test to be sure, but if too much organic matter is in the soil, particularly animal-based organic matter, you can end up with salt levels that are high enough to prevent the seedlings from being able to adequately acquire water.  

It is also possible that the soil is just hydrophobic, that is, resistant to being thoroughly wetted.  Is the soil around the seedlings damp, and how deeply?

One solution to both of the issues above is really thorough watering to leach out any (potential) excess salts and to make sure the soil is really truly wet.  A light covering of mulch (including pine needles!) will help to keep things uniformly moist while the pumpkins are sprouting.

I hope this is helpful!

Cordially,

John



Hi Laura,

If the pumpkin patch is being affected by disease or insects, then taking a year off can help, yes.  For soil conditions/amendment purposes, though, there's not a particular advantage to rotating as long as you're keeping track of the growing conditions for any possible nutrient deficiencies.  Rotation is more about disease and pest management (though certainly rotating crops like legumes through is one way to amend the soil).

Good luck!

John