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Minnesota

I am new to growing AG, but have been doing a lot of research and reading in the last year. I have decided to bring my hobby into the classroom. I teach science at a year around youth correctional facility. I am going to teach a science unit on Growing Giant Pumpkins. The students will explore genetics, pollination, soil, plant care, and growth charts by experimenting and growing AG's in the school's garden. I have been busy trying to put together information on the subject, but I would like to turn it over to the experts for an ideas. If anyone has any resources, ideas, or information I would appreciate it.
Thank You,
Minnesota Chad

1/2/2007 12:22:40 AM

Ohio

Hi Chad, there is 3 books out there that was written by Don Langevin "How to grow Giant Pumpkins" part II, and part III. Them books would be the best reference books you could ever use to teach your class on growing AG's. There is also one more book on soils and composting, but I cant remember the name off hand. Hopefully Dwain Gipe (Docgipe) will pipe in and tell you the name of it, hes the one that referred it to me. I haven't purchased it yet although.

Brooks

1/2/2007 5:00:45 AM

Nashville, TN

Hat's off to you!

If you need some bulk seeds. I'll send you plenty - on one condition: I need specific data concerning coloration development of ovaries-to-mature pumpkin.

This will help to help unlock some of the color genetics that I've been spending the last two seasons working on.

1/2/2007 7:54:59 AM

[email protected]

Welcome Chad,

I think the book that Brooks is trying to think of is "The Dirt Doctor".

Kudos to you for this noble gesture. A living classroom is a fine thing to teach.

For four years I've used my own son's elementary school courtyard garden as a living classroom. The fact it is in an enclosed courtyard offers great security from marauding middle school students but makes it VERY difficult for me to get in to provide in-season care. The janitorial staff has to be in the building for me to access the courtyard (9AM - 3PM). It's a good thing I work from home one day a week.

But then there is also the Federal Integrated Pest Management model to consider. The law requires a set of thresholds & a required paperwork reporting nightmare. It is estimated that only 30% of the Nation's school are in full compliance with the pesticide reporting laws. Somehow school officials think that if the janitor buys Roundup in a RTU squirt bottle from their janitorial supplier they don't need to report it. If they DID report it the janitor would require at least a Private Pesticide Applicator License. I have the Commercial version (Supervisory 3A) so I have my occupational existence to consider.

continued

1/2/2007 8:03:42 AM

[email protected]

Hence I cannot use conventional insecticides without reporting it to the parents in a mailing once a year. Until this year the Principal has declined my offer to comply with the Federal School laws so we would just cross our fingers & hope for the best. We'd lose every year.

This year had a new Principal who was willing to comply with the Federal requirements but I got a late start on the paperwork so I declined the pesticide option. Rather we were able to control Powdery Mildew with a 10% Milk solution applied once a week. We got lucky with the insects after having taken a year off so the kids managed a 214 lb specimen on the first secondary vine. The main was shredded in an early wind event or they might have had a great year.

I'm not trying to discourage you. I just want to make sure you have all of the information needed to comply with the law. If you're still willing to try this after my "devil's advocate" disclosure then let's get you started with a soil test, seeds & maintenance program. The curriculum will be dictated by Mother Nature & her local whims.

Steve Jepsen
CT GS&PGA President

1/2/2007 8:04:08 AM

North Smithfield, RI USA

Another goob book on soil is ,,, " Teaming with Microbes " by Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis. Timber Press.

1/2/2007 6:01:03 PM

Montoursville, PA

I would be happy to transmit by attachment growing guidelines and suggestions based on organic principles in the ground. We teach young adults to old goats how to grow giant pumpkins. We use no manfactured non-biodegradable materials in our soils.

Must be doing something right because we have teen agers growing 500 pound pumpkins their first year. We are a small group near Williamsport, Pa. We have grown some real nice pumpkins in view of the fact we are all under five years of experience.

1/2/2007 8:24:47 PM

My dad teaches science to 8th graders at a public school. I know he does a unit on genetics/evolution. They do basic Punnett squares, probabilities with them, dominance/recessiveness, talk about Mendell, talk about mutations, do an activity looking at each other's traits like earlobes (attached vs. none), hairline (widow's peaks), fingerprints (loops, swirls, etc.). Hope this helps with the genetics part.
Pollination... well I would teach the 4 parts of a flower... petal, sepal, pistil, stamen, and how some flowers have all the parts and some just have the male or female parts. Sometimes you need two plants (male and female) such as hollies. Pumpkins are monoecious.... you just need one plant but there are separate male and female flowers.
Um...that's all that comes to mind right now.

1/2/2007 8:39:53 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Chad,

If you need seeds, let me know at: [email protected]

1/2/2007 8:59:22 PM

Ohio

If that's a state or federal run correctional facility its really hard to get certain fertilizers(bombs) or pesticides including organic fertz or pesticides through the gates because of security reasons.

Tremor, do you remember a couple yrs back,when you was working for lesco, the guy near Columbus that also worked for lesco, that our state facility did most of their orders threw? I remember you knowing somewhat what was aloud threw the gates and what wasn't from talking with this guy.
I don't have that email anymore but if Chad wants and you don't mind, you could shoot him a email and give him a heads up on what fertz and pesticides are usually aloud and what isn't in a correctional facility. I know every state or federal run facility is run different ,but they try to go by guide lines, but in the end it mostly depends on what the Wardens final say is.

Brooks

1/3/2007 8:47:05 AM

[email protected]

If this is a youth facility there might not be an issue with oxidizers as much as with pesticide exposure & youth. Kid's nervous systems are more prone to damage from pesticides than adults.

Chad, if you want more details send me an email. I have the "FIFRA reporting law" here in pdf format. I know its on the web somewhere & tried to find it to post the url here. For the life of me I haven't come across it yet. But I will.

1/3/2007 3:59:12 PM

Utah

hopefully this will get you started ...

How to grow:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/secert.html
http://www.pumpkinfest.org/documents/growersmanual.htm
http://henryholman.homestead.com/pumpkins.html
http://jozepumpkins.homestead.com/articles.html
http://www.utahpumpkingrowers.com/howto.html

Typical plant layout:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=3524&gid=-3085
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=4799&gid=-3085

excel files you can down load to track growth:
http://www.gvgo.ca/articles/
(near the bottom of the page)

how to measure:
http://www.backyardgardener.com/weight.html

Books, videos, DVD's, etc:
http://www.hollandsgiants.com/index.html
http://www.pumpkinjim.com/

there is a lot more out there too. if you have a more specific question Just ask... people will help.

1/3/2007 5:58:11 PM

Minnesota

Thank you for all the information. I will look into the books and all the websites listed, shouldn't take long.(lol)

1/3/2007 10:00:59 PM

Minnesota

Doc,
I am interested in looking into the information about organic principles in the ground. It would be interesting to explore that option with the students. Here is my email address please send me that info:
[email protected]

1/3/2007 10:31:54 PM

Montoursville, PA

You have mail. I doubt an institution that already has a garden will experience any difficulty what so ever entering a healthy patch pumpkin growing program. I will be happy to coach you as little or as much as you wish.

If the house rules would permit it lots of us would like to see a Growers Diary....you and your gardeners stroking your chins and saying........"Git 'er done".

1/4/2007 7:43:13 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Teacher, Chad...I agree with the Dr. Please start and continue with a Growers Diary, with the project, and yer kids...lots of help here if needed...send email to [email protected] if you dont find any seeds to grow. Peace, Wayne

1/5/2007 12:15:48 AM