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East Bend, North Carolina

I am still very new to growing gaint pumpkins. I have had reasonable success in my opinion either though I am a full time student in college, have two kids (sports), and also work two part-time jobs. I was wondering how much time per week those of you who have been fortunate to grow the really big pumpkins spend in your patch? This is a really adictive hobby as all of you already know.

8/12/2007 10:13:09 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Hmmmm are you assuming we actually ever leave the patch...Pumpkin Growing is like any other sport/hobby you get out of it what you want. Sort of like the game where they chase a little white ball around a fancy yard with 18 holes in it. Some of us aspire to be Tiger Woods...others know that we just enjoy what we do.

8/12/2007 11:22:38 AM

[email protected]

Depends on the soil, site & your back but....for us:

>Spring: a few hours per week tending 3 plants. Sometimes less is more.
>Late spring: Weeds & vine training - up to 20+ hours/week but I have a partner so we share these responsibilities.
>Pollination: Maybe as little as 12 hours/week but the hours are much more challenging trying to keep all of the pollination's closed.
>Post pollination: 10-20 hours depending on weeds, weather & prior commitment.
>Now: 6-10 hours? Coast along watering, fertilizing, watching & hoping.

The patch isn't very high-maintenance this time of year. I'm getting ready to go see my patch for the first time since Thursday, 8/2. A ten day absence is a scary thing but is do-able this time of year if you've done everything right & have support.

No wish me luck! LOL

8/12/2007 11:37:05 AM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Well said Tremor!

8/12/2007 5:58:23 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

The size of the pumpkin is directly proportional to the time you spend in the patch.

8/12/2007 9:40:30 PM

Minnesota

The Patch,,,I'm addicted to BigPumpkins web site, don't ask me why.

8/13/2007 12:42:13 AM

Midwest

Time in the patch is good if you do things right. Or, bad if you are killing these plants with love.

8/13/2007 1:29:44 AM

Georgia

I spend about three hours a night and about twelve hours on the weekend..but I tend 11 plants so I stay busy. My girlfreind would say I spend more time then I claim but im sticking to it.

8/13/2007 8:10:50 AM

[email protected]

As long as you enjoy it, go for it and heck your girlfriend will know where to find you, your not out in a bar somewhere, you have an addicting hobby of a different kind, Giant Pumpkins, which can't be all bad.

This is my second year growing and am hooked.

Enjoy it, I find it very relaxing after a tough day at the office, which lately has been many.

8/19/2007 9:51:45 PM

Westford, MA

I've been visiting my dad after his hip replacement, so I've been doing my 2-4 evening hours kinda late.
I've found the Headlamps with the LEDs are Great.
Their nice and light weight.
Most of the LED lamps come with a Red Light setting which is great for seeing Aphids, at night their eyes are like little yellow twinkles.

8/20/2007 3:48:34 PM