Kim,
Tell me, how do we compete successfully against those folks with an extra month or two of growing season? I am looking forward to seeing some of the big ones. Don

Well Don, if you're refering to the pumpkins grown in warmer parts of the country, then there is nothing we can do to change our climate to mimic others. We can get just as many growing days though, by starting our seeds at the same time, about April 25th, and transplanting the seedlings into a protected patch outside as soon as possible. I pre-warm the pumpkin patch beds by covering them with black plastic in March, and then cut an "X" to plant the seedlings in the first 10 days of May. I construct very modest plastic tents over them for protection until it is safe to uncover them completely in June.

Bottom line... we are our own best competition. My goal each year is to top my last years pumpkin weights, or my PB - "personal best", as they call it in the biz. We, here in Montana, have fairly similar climates and can only hope to top the weights of local growers, family members, 4H growers, work-mates, neighbors, or anyone else inflicted with pumpkin fever.
It seems like you are hooked and determined to establish your own PB this year, right?
I'll see you at the Cornfield Maze on Sept. 20th, 1 pm.

Kim,
What fertilizer do you use? I have been using Miracle Grow infrequently – but it’s neither convenient nor affordable. Do you use a product you can simply sprinkle on the ground that works for a few days or weeks before reapplication is needed?
Nan


Nan,
Unfortunately it takes perseverance and a small investment - of course raising giants is a simple equation: what you put into it = what you get out of it. My fertilization includes foliar spraying Monty's Joy Juice every other day, watering every other day, and applying seaweed and kelp concentrate 1-2 times a week. But every year I change it a little bit depending upon my schedule and mother nature. I'm certain you have huge plants and impressive fruits - I can't wait to see what everyone has produced!
Thanks for your questions. K

Kim,

I will enter the weigh off in Sept. Will also go to the fair and see who has done what :-)) Is the Sept 20th event limited to Bitterroot valley folks only? Also, How does one register for the weigh off? Thanks. Don


Don,

I encourage entries from anywhere, any valley, any state - the Bitterroot is only the home of our weigh off, not an exclusion. Regarding signing up for the weigh off - I'll be sending out the registration form to those on my distribution list but anyone can register at the weigh off as well. Registration is at 1pm and weigh off begins at 2pm.

See you there!

Hi,

I've got two on, fairly close to one another but on different vines. One is now growing faster than the other. Should I remove the smaller one? - Mick

Excellent question Mick! I just got off the phone with another grower asking the same question as well as if it is ok to prune some vines... To answer your question, Mick, NO. Allow both pumpkins to grow to maturity. It is always a good idea to have more than one in the event something happens to one of them. Also, the Atlantic Giant plant has no problem supporting several fruits, up to 5 or 6 is just fine. Regarding the pruning of vines, YES. Prune away! I would not take off any vines between your fruit and the stump that are growing off the pumpkin's vine. I would, however, remove every other vine after the pumpkin, if space is an issue. I also remove all tertiary vines before they take over my patch.
Hope this helps - Keep up the good work!

Hello fellow pumpkin growers -


It's been hot, hot, hot and tough on the garden plants, pumpkins included. If you have not set any fruit yet, be patient, there is still time. Many folks have reported that their blossoms have fallen off before pollination or their small fruits have aborted. We can blame the heat!


If you have pumpkins established, it is time to pour on the water and fertilizer. I use two overhead sprinklers to water my pumpkin patch all night, every other night, and try to fertilize once a week or more if I can.


If you haven't noticed, the fruits will start to double in size over a weeks period - if fed and watered. Here is a link to some charts used to estimate your pumpkin's weight. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/HowTo/ If you are not familiar with the methods of measuring with a tape, email me and I will send a simple diagram to illustrate. Some folks like to take measurements daily, weekly, or randomly and follow the progression for comparison sake next year.


Continue tending your young fruits and stand back as now is when it gets FUN!!