When the fall rolls around, we all start talking about pumpkins. Whether it's visiting a pumpkin patch, carving some shop-bought ones ready for Halloween, or maybe you've decided this year is the year you'll grow your own.
On average, it takes 90 to 120 days for a pumpkin to grow from seed to harvest, so if you're planning your very own pumpkin patch in time for Halloween, your journey will have started months before.
But, whether you're cultivating them yourself or just discarding them in your yard for compost, it's important to be aware that they can quickly go bad and attract pests.
Fortunately, you don't have to worry about any of that happening with this cheap and easy solution to all your pumpkin problems. Here's how to keep the pests away and grow better pumpkins as a result.
Why it works
Pumpkins grow above ground on a sprawling vine – and while the warm, moist soil is perfect for promoting growth, your pumpkin can also suffer from harmful rot in these conditions.
A combination of bad airflow and excessive moisture are prime for bacteria and fungi to grow and eventually ruin your pumpkin for good. So, keeping them off the ground is a great idea and you can do just that with pumpkin cradles.
They might look a little odd, reminding me of a hair trap you stick in the bath waste, but they're actually a genius invention that'll lift your gourd from the dangers that lurk in the ground beneath.
All you have to do is stake the pumpkin cradle into the soil underneath where your pumpkin is growing and it sits on top in the wide oval-shaped basket crafted to house your crops.
So, to avoid the chances of rot destroying your well-cared for pumpkins and to keep the damaging pests away, these cradles can help them thrive.
More than pumpkins
But the fun doesn't end there. The pumpkin cradles aren't just for pumpkins. You can actually use them all-year round on different ground-growing crops.
From strawberries, to squashes, to melons, cantaloupes and more, the cradles can provide a support and divide between your crops and the ground to prevent rot, pests and encourage growth with better air circulation.
Hence why the cradles also have gaps underneath to still reap the rewards of the moist and warm soil below, avoiding suffocating them.
For just $17 for ten cradles, it's a small investment that could save you a lot of time and hassle tackling the pests and ruining your crops.
