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Indiana

Long time reader first time poster

I have toyed with the idea of growing big pumpkins for a while but have finally got the courage up to try I figured this was the best place to come for help, So I guess this is my plea for help
I live in west Central Indiana I just got my garden plowed yesterday (belive it or not) actually plowed nice Measured it off last night I have 51LX25W garden. Prior to the plow I put 40# lime and 20# 12-12-12 Gonna let that sit for a while and was thinking of putting another 40# lime on when I work it under? What is anyone's thoughts on this? I am in the sand but has a nice black tint to it Black sand! I am going to file my seeds gently on the sides and germanate them. How many seeds do you recomend per mound? How far a part should place my mounds, basically how long are the vines going to be? generally speaking I am also going to try the watermelon thing should I keep my watermelons away from my pumpkins. I have gotten Dill's seeds. Am I off to a good start? I am open to all tips
Thanks
A Rookie

2/13/2005 1:26:25 PM

Sheridan . NY

rookie-- dont put too much lime --and should be cal lime--if you know your ph and its6.5 id go easy on the lime--easy on the bagged fertlizer---you will do better with a foliar fert--if you would like some general bio soil and foliar readg goto www.candjfert.com --craig

2/13/2005 1:51:19 PM

Indiana

Rookie
Where did you get your Dill seeds? if you bought them from the store They wont give you near as good of a pumpkin as seeds from people on this site. If you want some better seeds e-mail me your address and ill send you some. Also if you would like you can join the Indiana pumpkin grower association, we will be having a meeting sometime this spring. Carlos or one of the other board members can give you the info. Where in Indiana?? I'm from Anderson. Go easy on the lime. A soil test from A&L labs in Fort Wayne will be of great help and if you can round up a bunch of old manure that would help too. Do some searching on this site and look at some of the grower diary's and you will learn a bunch from here.

Steve

2/13/2005 2:38:22 PM

Mocksville, NC

Welcome, Rookie! And get a soil test done 1st. I'm new also, but I do know that you need to have your soil in balance. I'm going to let the heavy hitters on this site respond to this one, and yes you are off to a great start! So get ready for alot of great advise! Good luck in 05, and keep tabs on the growers diaries.

2/13/2005 2:42:22 PM

Indiana

Thanks everyone for the welcome, Moondog I live near Covington ever heard of it? I got my seeds from Reimer seeds a place I found on line Just learning all this pumpkin stuff think these are good seeds? Does a&l labs have a website? give me a ball park idea how much a soil test will run kinda sounds like I need one to see where I am I just moved in the fall my garden has been part of the yard up till yesterday so that might not hurt Give me your thoughts Thanks

2/13/2005 3:16:23 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Get different seeds...You have a lot of really nice Indiana Growers who will hook you up.

2/13/2005 3:37:33 PM

San Diego

I believe an A&L full soil test runs around 31 dollars which includes being able to call them and explain there recommendations if you have any q's. Get the test, do their recommendations and use gypsom, not lime to raise your calcium if your ph is in a good range. Lime always raises ph. ALso, if you can, get some aged cow manure and till it in your patch as soon as you can, this will help with getting your oraganic matter up and is balanced in all nutrients. Good Luck, Jimmy

2/13/2005 3:43:53 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

you've gotten some good advice with soil recommendations. Start you seeds indoors under plain fluorescent lamp three weeks prior to transplanting. Don't start in mound. Keep lamp 3" above plants at all times. Greenhouse over your mound until frost danger is gone with remay and plastic. Good luck. If you manage a decent pumpkin this year, God help your poor wife.

2/19/2005 12:15:27 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I can't believe you haven't been offered seeds yet. Email me privately and I'll fix you up with some good seeds for the price of postage.

Phil

2/19/2005 5:56:34 PM

Indiana

I offered some seeds copper and the offer still stands just click the envelope under my name and give me your address
Steve

2/20/2005 10:32:35 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Sorry Steve. I guess I read it too fast.

Phil

2/20/2005 7:19:48 PM