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Savage, MN

So this year I struggled a lot until I got to pollination. With all the struggles early season it kept me away from getting ferts on. Then by the time I had a pumpkin on I was scared about over doing ferts so I didn't do much of anything. If someone can help me develop a plan and what products to use can you please email me. If you have a favorite fert to use please post and say when to use it. Thanks guys.

10/2/2019 8:00:19 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I would first get a real good soil test,. I like to use Western Laboratories in Idaho. Then add what they recommend before planting. I like to use compost I get from Cedar Rapids, because they have it analyzed and I get as much of my nutrients from organic sources as possible. I make up the rest from commercial fertilizers. You should have enough nutrients in the right proportions to get through the season. You can then add mycorrhizae, WOW starter packs, etc. to boost your soil biology. Then keep an eye on the plants and weather. If you get too muck rain, you can lose nitrogen and have yellow plants. If my plants seem to slow down too soon in the fall, I add just a little soluble tomato food food like Schultz or Miracle Gro. You don't want to use too much and put too many salts in the soil, but with my sand subsoil, salts leach out.

10/2/2019 8:38:38 AM

Savage, MN

Iowegian I got a soil test done in spring and added what I was recommended. Here's the link: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=301557

10/2/2019 9:54:03 AM

Central NY

What did u add and how much?

10/2/2019 11:24:28 AM

Savage, MN

I added urea- 25lbs
potash- 45lbs
sulfur- 35lbs
I never got around to adding boron

10/2/2019 1:19:03 PM

Central NY

Where’s it say add 45 pounds potash?...seems like a lot when the soil test said adequate...also seems like a lot of sulpher all at once...can mess w ph and nutrient uptake...too much potassium can lock out magnesium....you put a lot of work into that patch, I’m guessing the problem is something simple like out of whack nutrients or way overwatering..coulda shot yerself in the foot from the get go...good to get things lined up now so next year the soil is doing the work for you...if things are right and your not stunting yourself trying to start when the big boys start you should be able to let Mother Nature handle the brunt of the work and coax one to 1000lbs w simple weekly feedings...those simple feedings will vary in npk ratios depending on what the plant needs but sometimes not overthinking it and letting the power of this great plant show itself could be the ticket to understanding what it takes to grow one of these to potential...hope this helps reeds and beans...been fun following you young guns this year...email me if you need specifics but you’ll prolly have better luck with someone in your area that knows the conditions..if I were you I’d be bugging the heck out of mobymike...email me and I’ll give you his number...I’ll be bugging him this winter as well....

10/2/2019 1:46:52 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Is your patch in full sun?

10/2/2019 1:49:05 PM

Savage, MN

Thanks Porkchop, I will try to look more into my soil.

Shannon my patch is more in 6-7 hours of sun

10/2/2019 2:12:41 PM

Lakewood, WA

I'm wondering where your patch soil is at right now, nutrient-wise.

I took several soil tests throughout the season in my patch and towards the end, my soil ended up low on boron and a few other items, so I added more according to my test results. Too much of any nutrient can block the uptake of other nutrients, as can too low or too high PH. Too little of any nutrient can also prevent the uptake of other nutrients. Wheeee, Good Times! lol Getting the nutrients reasonably balanced is important. I spent a boatload of time figuring that much out, it's not the easiest approach. Contacting experienced growers would probably be faster.

I also learned from experience that changing labs can give some conflicting results, ugh.

I wish I had some good ferts to recommend to you. Kelp 4 Less worked well. I basically used what Ace Hardware and Lowe's had to offer, lol!

Porkchop has some great input, as always! I can imagine Reed in huge patch of reeds, eating beans :-) Picnic time!

Good luck for next year, Reed! Cheering you on from here!

10/2/2019 4:22:39 PM

Central NY

If ya can test again...we can figure it out

10/2/2019 4:41:06 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Reed, Use your Altoona winnings for a soil test. You should get a good return on your investment next fall.

10/2/2019 4:49:58 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Reed I don't claim to be an expert to read your soil test but can recommend a couple smart growers. Ask me on Saturday. Your soil is changing constantly but now is a good time to take a soil test and amend now so you can make minor changes in the spring.

10/2/2019 6:29:00 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Those recommendations were for pounds per acre. An acre is a huge size for a pumpkin patch. 43,560 square feet per acre. You should divide the recommendation by 43.5 for each 1000 square feet of garden. It is probably good that you didn't add the boron, as too much can be toxic to most plants.

10/2/2019 9:18:03 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I’d concentrate on the soil and work on your feeding program later.

With organic matter under 3% and low CEC, your soil is going to struggle to support a giant pumpkin no matter how much fertilizer you throw at them

You need organic matter, which in turn, will raise your CEC.

For fertigation, I’d recommend RAW NPK Grow & Bloom formula, used at 1/2 the recommended rate on a regular and consistent basis.

10/2/2019 9:29:58 PM