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Mount Prospect,illinois

Not only am i just starting out at this giant pumpkin thing but i also live just outside of Chicago in a suburb and my garden space is very limited. Any cool ideas for "urban" growers?. My side vines will definately be running across the lawn. Fortunately i will be able to keep the main vines in dirt. I see all these pics of people in giant areas where they can run their plants and i do get envious. Oh well.

6/14/2006 10:12:42 AM

Colorado

Dave,
I also live in a urban area with limited growing space.
I built a raised bed out of 2"x12' treated lumber. This
gives me a little less than 400 square feet. I filled
the bed with 3" of 3/4" gravel then 5" of sand followed
by 7" of planter mix. The second year I added 5 more
inches of compost. Makes for a nice area to grow. Also
hooked up with a local nursery that is letting Da Wiz and
I develop about 2000 sq feet for growing giants.
Good luck and grow them big.---- Kirk

6/14/2006 1:13:15 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Hey Longbeard,
Interesting that you got 2000 sq feet to use!!!!! I have been able to create a garden area (or at least an area the plants can run) that is about 8-10 wide by about 30 feet or maybe more. Not counting th elawn area. The only real thing in the way is a giant white pine (i think) tree that the plants will run under. I am going to prune it so it at least give some sun through it. Otherwise the plants only receive about 4-5 hours of full sun and another 2-3 hours of partial sun at best.

6/14/2006 2:06:54 PM

Colorado

Go for it. The plants like sun but seem to adapt to less
sunlight as well. Do you already have plants in the ground
or do you need seed?

6/14/2006 3:47:56 PM

Sacramento, CA

My patch is limited as well. I have about 100 sq feet for the main area and I am going to let them run out over our poor grass/yard.

Only thing I did was make sure I dug deep for the main mounds, about 3-4 feet of very soft dirt/compost/manure. I am planning on keeping the vines short and starting the fruit at 4-6 feet, so that they are in the patch and not on the bad yard.

Good luck.

6/14/2006 5:47:46 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Kirk,
Yes, i have some seeds planted already. But item #156 on the agenda for next year is to get quality seeds. This year, i have some AG seeds but nothing proven or monster potential. I stumbled on all this really when it was almost too late for this year. I am now facinated and will do my best this year and learn for next year. My boys love it though. I have in-laws in Colo springs, dunno if thats near you.
Emma, Dig a deep nutrient pit..item #297 for next year.
I have Jim Beauchimin's dvd and that is a great learning tool for me! As well as this board!

6/14/2006 7:07:49 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Dave email me. We have our annual weigh-off not far from you. consider joining the Illinois Giant pumpkin Growers Association. Visit the igpga.org . I will get you the seeds you need.

6/14/2006 9:45:31 PM

Sacramento, CA

Davep,

Wht is a nutrient pit?!?

I did not know I would have to learn vocabulary to grow pumpkins.

6/15/2006 12:06:43 AM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Emma,
from what i have heard/read, a nutrient pit (maybe there is another term) is the deep hole you dig and plant the seedling in. The pit should contain the "nutrients" the seedling will need to grow well and have soft enough soil to allow good deep rooting. Again, this isnt from experience and even if i am wrong, i am doing it next year!!!

6/15/2006 6:59:47 AM

Sacramento, CA

DaveP

I did something like that. I dug down about 3 feet, then piled about another foot of a mix of manure, planting soil and my domestic soil and mixed in some "liquid fish" (boy that stuff stinks. The soil is soft enough to push a hand into about 18".

If there is some other nutrient I need, I want to know.

Thanks,

Matt (Emma is the real gardener, but cannot type yet as she is 2 1/2 years old).

6/15/2006 11:43:30 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

I would be interesting in obtaining some high genetic seeds for planting on that 2000 sq ft nursery garden LongBeard and DaWiz is planting. I know we are behind a bit but we really want to get this nursery involved and the owners are quite enthusiastic with wanting to have how to seminars and employee education. This nursery sells about 30 dump truck loads of punkins every year. I have started a new website but havent had time to do everything. If folks out there have ideas that can help me kick start this mania out here in Denver, Littleton area I know... me and ole Longbeard will sure listen. Seeds would help so we could attract more young and old alike. My 400 lb seeds last year have been spread all over the area from Grand Junction, Worlen Wyoming. Thanks in advance for the help

6/15/2006 11:47:29 AM

Colorado

Dave,
Colorado Springs is about 60 miles to the south of us.
There are several top notch growers in the Springs area.
They had a very sucessful weigh-off last Oct. If all
goes well I hope to attend this year with a good 'kin.
Matt,
Good luck to you and Emma it's great to see youngster's
learning to enjoy the wonder's of growing. I am sure
the good folks on this site will continue to support
you through out the season. Good luck to you and Emma
grow them BIG ---- Kirk Volkel

6/16/2006 11:34:55 AM

Dillsburg, PA

For the past few seasons I only had about a 350sqft garden. I grew a few close and over 300lbs. Of course with one plant I am more worried about producing a few from the same plant. Last year I grew 3 pumpkins off of the 603 Muller. This year I took a break from growing because I purchased 3.5 acres of old farmland and am building a house.

6/16/2006 1:29:38 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Jeff,
I guess you wont have to worry about a small garden soon. Nice!! I am using what i have. I am hoping to grow one over 100lbs with what i have and know this year. I have no clue how things will come out. Next year i will try to improve on that. I dont think my boys (5,3,3yrs) will really mind if i "only" grow a 100lber. I will dream of the 300/400/500+lbers.
Kirk,
You must be right at Denver then huh? That whole area is pretty. Not like the mountainous........er.......flat midwest!!!

6/16/2006 2:07:01 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Dave, Good luck. You will break 100lbs easy. Keep the plant healthy and watered and you might be surpised in what you get. Jeff

6/16/2006 3:07:46 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Yea Dave Youll grow a big one.....Ill be sending this years seeds back your way cuz you helped me out....Crossing with the 1233.5 Reiss and the 1204 Kline along with my Langevins that have the 1097 beachy in them....I got a 743 Jutras puttin in the Jared patch too this week. Were late but our weigh-off wont be till Oct 14-15. LongBeard got some McCallum going too, we should have some good crosses for next year.
Grow'em Big

Gary J

6/17/2006 7:21:12 PM