[ddsack]

I use black plastic under my cucumber and squash. After planting everything, I hose it down thoroughly and look for the low spots where water pools and can't run off. I use a knife to make slits so the water can drain down under in these low spots. When I plant, I cut an X in the plastic about 8-10 inches long, make a depression for the plant, and lay the X flaps back down, so I can water and fertilize close to the stem. I only hand water, so in hot dry weather there has to be a way to get additional water under the plastic. If you have an underground irrigation system, it would be ideal. The aqua cones sound good too, but we rarely buy anything that comes in that size container.