Mulching The Cucumbers, Watermelon and Pumkins

I had hoped to put up a trellis this year for the vine vegetables but I didn't get around to it so I decided to mulch with some old bales we have up in the hayloft. This will at the very least keep the veggies off the bare soil and as we get into the really hot summer months it will keep moisture in.

I planted several different things. There were pie pumpkins, regular pumpkins, watermelon, gourds and cucumbers. I didn't label what I planted where, because of course I would remember! And of course I do not remember, I suppose if I really want to know I can google what the leaves and flowers look like. You can see in the picture that a section of something didn't come up. Oh well, it leaves more room the ones that did grow.

I mulched around the potatoes as well since they were a last minute planting decision because I found some sprouting in a bag of potatoes I had laying around. I know, you aren't supposed to plant the ones you buy for eating but oh well, they are doing really well so far. They are planted in what's left of the pile of composted silage I was spreading on my gardens so it worked out perfect, I already had a hill for them. Except it is in the area the vine veggies will grow into so that's why I mulched.

On the other side of the potatoes is another last minute planting. Halloween last year my mother in law and the kids saved some of the jack-o-lantern seeds for the garden. She sent them over here after I had the garden planted though so I just tucked them in at the end. I also wasn't sure how well they would grow, but we ended up with a couple plants which made my little farmers in training very happy. I'm not sure we will get get anything off them since they are pretty late but it was fun for them anyways. Though my eldest is most excited about the watermelon. He goes out to check on the one he is convinced is the watermelon all the time. 

This is my first time trying mulch, I'm hoping that it helps my cucumbers as they always turn yellow. I think they get some sort of blight sitting directly on the soil. Our neighbour told me what it was one year but I can remember at the moment, I will have to ask again. 

Hopefully this is enough room for the vines!