Sand Under Pumpkins?

[Pulsegleaner]

When my gourd got big enough, I actually rigged up some forks with take away chopsticks and created a sort of sling to keep the actual fruit suspended in midair (of course, a gourd is small enough you can actually do that, it's probably impossible [or at least inadvisable] with a pumpkin) you can sort of see it below

Luckily this is the only one I had to do that with (the ones on the other vine are sufficiently lashed to the nearby pole that the fruits are well suspended (plus they are a much smaller type of gourd)

BTW, since it's been a while since I did gourds before, in your opinions how close does the one above look to being harvestable? I'd hate to pick it too soon, but I'd also had to have it rot because I left it out too long.

 

[Smart Red]

Nylons are ideal for supporting melons and squash. They are strong and do not damage the fruit. I really do like fencing for plants that vine. Going vertical takes a lot less garden space.

 

[Hal]

I sit them on a brick or such if they are show Squash that need to look pretty otherwise I've always left them on the ground.

 

[mydogdory]

Thanks everyone! Next year I think I am going to put them on a trellis.