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Fitchburg , MA

Hi,
I am new into giant pumpkins. I have a 400 and a 200 pounder to my name but i want to grow a true whopper! I am looking for any advice. Thank you in advance.
Here is a link to a my Western Labs Soil Test from a few weeks ago: https://kenersongroup.com/soiltest. The area is 750 sqft. It was quite sandy and i have been adding compost, topsoil, and peatmoss to it every spring.

2/20/2020 3:18:59 PM

Fitchburg , MA

Here is the correct link: https://kenersongroup.com/soiltest.pdf

2/20/2020 3:21:24 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I would do what Western Labs recommends. Just use 75% of the rate they recommend for 1000 sq ft. For the magnesium, use Epsom salt. You can get copper sulfate and manganese sulfate in small amounts on Amazon. I like to mix the Epsom salt, manganese and copper with kelp meal and apply with my fertilizer spreader. The kelp adds lots of trace elements, and I get that from a local farm seed dealer. With sandy soil, your nitrogen will leach out faster, so plan to use split applications. Organic forms of nitrogen, like blood meal, are more stable in the soil and don't leach out as fast.

2/20/2020 7:17:37 PM

Fitchburg , MA

Thank you so much Iowegian. I will look into your recommendations.

2/21/2020 11:45:00 AM

Boscawen, NH

Feel free to shoot me an email if you want to discuss your results. I've got very similar soil and we both have similar weather.
sgeddes@tds.net

2/21/2020 5:14:45 PM

Central NY

(Please jump on that offer enchanted...and good luck!!)

2/22/2020 1:01:11 PM

I can think of 2528 reasons why you should jump on that offer!

2/22/2020 3:20:54 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Definitely email sgeddes,

2/22/2020 9:29:15 PM

Fitchburg , MA

Thank you! Will do sgeddes!

2/25/2020 4:14:04 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Here is what I would add if the garden were mine: Agricultural Sulfur 2#, Borax 150 grams, Soft phosphorus 33#, Copper sulfate 210 grams, Iron sulfate 2.5#, Manganese sulfate 4.5#, Zinc Sulfate 413 grams, 7.5# humic acid, 7.5# kelp, 7.5# fulvic acid, 7.5# feather meal, and 7.5# alfalfa meal. This is based on your soil test results and the garden being 750 square feet and the cation exchange content being 11. This took a while to figure out but it is based on target values for nutrients and the deficit your garden has. And, it is organic.

2/29/2020 11:38:50 AM

Fitchburg , MA

Marv! Thank so much. I will review.

3/16/2020 11:40:21 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Keep in mind that not all target values are agreed to by all growers and agronomists. Sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and boron needs are vary from one agronomist to the next with at least two camps. So, who are you going to believe?

3/16/2020 1:19:06 PM