S3E34 History of the pumpkin, build your soil for spring, guest author Luke Ruggenberg - The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener Radio show

Replay of The Wisconsin Vegetable Gardener Radio Show from 10-19-19
Heard on 860AM WNOV & W293cx 106.5FM Milwaukee, WI Saturday mornings 9-10AM CST
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In Segment 1 Joey and Holly talk about the history of the Pumpkin,

Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Seeds from related plants have been found in Mexico dating back to 7000 to 5500 B.C.
40 to 50 varieties of pumpkin
References to pumpkins date back many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was changed by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin."
Pumpkins are a member of the Cucurbita family which includes squash and cucumbers.
Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake.
In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.
Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.
Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.
Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.
Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
As one of the most popular crops in the United States, in 2017 over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins were produced. The top pumpkin-producing states include Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, 95% of the U.S. crop intended for processing is grown in Illinois
The origin of pumpkin pie is thought to have occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and then filled it with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in the hot ashes of a dying fire.

In segment 2 Joey and Holly talks about how you can build your soil for spring,

Building your soil for spring
Add leaves
Add your own compost/organic matter
Soil test
Cover soil
Cover crops
Do not fertilize now
Rough til or spade roughly to open up the soil to allow moisture to get in and not run off
Add aged manure

In segment 3 Joey and Holly welcome there guest author Luke Ruggenberg

Luke Ruggenberg is a gardener, nurseryman, and a writer. He lives in the PNW with his wife and two kids.
1.You say every gardener has a “truck” - what do you mean by that? And what is your “truck” - or your first gardening truck?
2.Why do you say gardening is the worst?
3.What is the best advice you can give to a new gardener? Or someone who hasnt gardened yet?
4.You say plants are just like people - how so?
5.Your newest books is called Plants are Terrible people, can you tell us about it, the inspiration behind it, and your favorite part of the book?
6.Tell us more about how to find you?

My carrots werent very big this year, I had them in a raised bed and they were hairy - what gives?
Looser soil, full sun, more space, and more water
I have the worst trouble getting swiss chard to grow in the past this year I finally got it to grow so what do I do with it

In segment 4 Joey and Holly answer garden questions

1 Q:I have problem with mice in my garage and I remember my gran(continued)