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United States

I've started adding Espoma potash 0-0-60. The instructions say to add 1lb per 100sq feet, but I don't see anything about the frequency. I understand pumpkins are heavy feeders. How often should I be adding it?

10/9/2022 1:30:46 PM

Lodi, California

Muriate of potash isn't my go to, but to clarify, isn't that instruction for soil amending? As in, you apply it at 1lb per 100sf, till it in, and don't add it again?

Most people here get soil tests and calculate out exactly how much they need, or otherwise have a general understanding of what's in their soil and approximately how much to use. If you don't get a soil test then as far as you know you could have too much potassium already.

If you are breaking new soil and you think it's deficient and you don't wanna get a soil test, which I recommend you get, then go ahead and just follow the instructions, or any literature you find online regarding the product (muriate of potash). However I am pretty certain you are misinterpreting the instructions. 1lb/100sf is too much for repeat applications, I have to assume it's a once a season thing

10/9/2022 3:20:50 PM

Syracuse, NY

By 'adding', I'll bet you mean you think it's water-soluble but any Espoma I've seen (and have a small bag of, lol) is probably a granular, non-water-soluble red material in a little blue and white bag - probably for adding at season's start or past the end and/or for 'working in' PER the directions; If I am wrong, sorry and so be it - not an expert;
I've had some 2 1/2 lbs.? for years now and am merely using it up because another fertilizer I ordered (5-10-40 water-soluble) did not come to me, so, what IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII am doing and others might recommend against, and that is fine, is right over my 55 gallons of water in a barrel, already swirling, hand-mixing it (one CUP) with the water in a 1/2-quart plastic measuring cup, randomly allowing new water to flood into the cup and draining out the now-solutioned product into the barrel.
I am carefully mixing it at the surface, in other words. I do not want the granules to ever reach my pump impeller and therefore also have a filter at the entrance to the pump. It is a SLOW process and is undoubtedly the wrong weigh to do it - No signs of any pumpkins blowing up
and those ones were WITHOUT any added Potassium, lol!
I'd love to hear of any products commonly in use by growers that are WATER-SOLUBLE and have a ratio of similar to 5-10-40, and I've seen 7-15-30 as an alternate, but I'd be just throwing money, and possibly harmful, un-researched fertilizer at my next-year's soil and when it's "Always Next Year', that could be bad. Good luck --- eg

10/9/2022 4:14:10 PM

Syracuse, NY

Ha Ha - any knowledge is good knowledge, even if it's a little late!
'Slow and Easy' is just IN the race! G'Day---eric g

10/9/2022 4:17:38 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Like Ashton said, do a test so you know where your at. I added none this year and had some of the best growth I've ever had. Its more about making sure everything is balanced in the soil. If everything is balanced, that fruit will keep growing. Most of us take tests during the growing season, this lets us know what the plant is taking up. If at that time the test shows your low in potassium or anything else, you add what's needed at that time.

10/9/2022 4:28:15 PM

United States

@Pumpkinpal2: Yes, that's the stuff I have. I didn't realize it wasn't water soluble. I guess I'll have to get a liquid one. This is my first year trying pumpkins, and I only have a month or two left in the season so I want to get them the most absorbable potassium I can.

10/9/2022 7:09:59 PM

Gourd Zone, WA

Some growers use soluble kelp, which has a lot of potassium. But I think SoCal is correct, it would help get better results to know if its really needed or not.

10/9/2022 7:46:04 PM

Syracuse, NY

Well, if nothing else, I'll be more adept at panning for gold someday and in this discussion I've realized that the correct term for what I'm doing is sieving or sifting; Err, in MY case, 'sloshing', lol---Take Care---eric g

10/9/2022 11:26:17 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Potassium sulfate

10/10/2022 10:06:58 PM