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Location

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milford, CT,

This is my 4th year growing. The first 2 years I grew @ 400 lb pumpkins. The last 2 years I paid much more attention to soil balance and disease control. Then I grew a 700 lb and 600 lb pumpkin the last 2 years. What should I be thinking about to move up to the next level....1000lbs. Mark

8/30/2007 8:25:44 PM

Ohio

Talk to Ron and Pap Wallace about soil help and I guarantee you will grow BIGGER. Or if you know a grower that continuously grows monsters year after year, ask them about there soil and copy it , thats exactly what I did this year with Ron and Dick Wallace's soil.

Brooks

8/30/2007 9:10:01 PM

Ohio

A 1068 seed would also help ya aswel Mark,lol

8/30/2007 9:11:29 PM

Rhode Island

mark

look us up at the topsfield fair . we will give you our address for some seeds, possibly sign you up into our club.

dont worry about your progress. back in the day it took us much more than two years to get where we are today

your doing fine

pap

8/31/2007 5:45:58 AM

Salem, OR

Someone once told me that there's not much difference between growing a 600 pounder and a 1000 pounder, and I'm a believer now (PB before last year, 572; PB now 1038 and I don't do much different). So, what's the difference? For me, it was three things, I think, but I was pretty much doing them before, just to a lesser degree:
1. Lots of very well-composted manure or compost in the fall to build up the soil and to feed the pumpkin. 4" over entire patch minimum.
2. Lots of leaves (6"-12") over the entire patch in the fall. If you're not going to use chemical fertiliers, you'll also need a couple of inches of fresh manure at this point.
3. 4# of Nitrogen added to patch (split apply, maybe) in the spring.

8/31/2007 12:12:49 PM

Somers, CT

Mark, I finally reached 500 lb this year (by the tape) after some disappointing losses due to critters, disease, me, lack of good soil, me and bugs. I still did lots of things not correctly. I am wanting to start next year with a good solid plan to go for the 1000 lb. I can see it happening now where before it was just a far away dream. Starting this fall with a complete redesign of the patch. I will take good notes and share.

8/31/2007 1:29:48 PM

federal way WA

I am in exactly the same situation Mark.
Stan Pugh just wrote a great article in the PNWGPGA newsletter addressing this issue, I wrote him an email and he has ponted out some changes for me to make starting this fall and helped me get a plan for next year.
Like the others on this post have suggested, get in touch with a local expert and let them share their knowlege

Hopefully, we will both join the 1K club next year!!

8/31/2007 1:40:29 PM

Georgia

I would love to hit 1000 pounds and I feel all growers that are state record holders or have grown past 1000 are amazing now knowing how much work is really involved. It seems though certain states top weights are much lower then others. I dont think that has anything to do with the growers in these states not trying as hard. I believe heat is a major factor. This year in Georgia for instance weve had weeks 100 degree plus with not a drop aof rain. Then certain states get way too much rain and no sun. Someday I would love to say I grew a 1000 pounder in Georgia such a hot state.

8/31/2007 2:24:37 PM

milford, CT,

Thanks Guys for the replies. PAP I already belong to SNGPG
and got seeds from you from the fundraiser. Based on the results of other growers of the seeds I have in my collection, it's not the seeds I have that is the limiting factor. This year I had many problems with the patch but also some great improvements. Usually my plants look terrible Mid August..not this year...they still look great and there is no sign of any disease. My problem is that all my pumpkins peaked at 18-20 lbs a day. The good thing is that I got close to 30 days of that growth so extending the season has been a success so far. I'm thinking that I need to find out why my peak weights are lower than 25 lbs a day. My guess is the problem lies with soil amending, soil balance ....Sun....or watering practices. The last 2 years I have used Mychorizae, soil soup and drip irrigation in addition to soil testing and fall amending. I guess I'll be doing some homework this fall. Thanks Mark

8/31/2007 3:40:03 PM

[email protected]

T'aint just seeds boys. Move north & east to get away from the metro-NY smog. If all you see is a small circle of stars at night then smog & ozone are affecting the growth too. Head North &/or East a few miles & we start to see the stars even on the horizon. The Long Island Sound toilet bowl does nothing to help what with it's humidity contribution.

9/1/2007 9:33:31 AM

Long Island,New York

Long Island and NYC area suck for growing big pumpkins.

9/1/2007 11:14:31 AM