Question
QUESTION: I have planted pumpkins and gourds with little success in our new backyard.  This year I have lots of vines and flowers, but one fruit quickly dried up.  Any suggestions for next year?

ANSWER: Carol:
It's hard to say what the problem might be without more information. What part of the country do you live in? When did you plant? What is your soil like? How much sun does your garden get? What, if anything did you fertilize with and when? Any other details you can think of will help.

Elyse

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are in SW Wisconsin - I started some seeds inside and then planted seedlings and more seeds outside in late May.  Soil is mostly sand, garden gets morning, mid-day sun, then afternoon shade.  Fertilize with Miracle gro a couple times.  We had a really dry spell in Jun-Jul and I watered enough to keep them going.    Garden spot is where an old shed once stood, so I added compost and topsoil to the spot where I planted.

Answer
Carol:
Well, I'm not sure. If you had plenty of flowers, it could be a lack of pollination. Miracle-Gro is pretty high in nitrogen, you might add some bone meal to the soil this fall to increase the phosphorus. Sometimes plants just don't produce as you expect them to. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Elyse