From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mt Vernon Ky

why are there so many big pumpkins this year there got to be something i am not doing

9/30/2007 8:40:12 PM

Somers, CT

Do what I do. Stand on the corner of the scale when it is being weighed. Your PB will go up several pounds in a matter of seconds.

Seriously, I am once again in study mode and the few things I have learned from talking to the experts are that you need to get the patch in shape in the fall with all your tests complete and modificaitons made. Use small amounts of ferts more often such as every other day. Groom the plant impecibly to allow you to notice and react to problems as they occur. Keep the plant healthy and diseases will not be attracted. Start reading up on compost tea and beneficial microbes. Try asking lots of questions. Everyone here has been much help to me.

9/30/2007 8:48:50 PM

Minnesota

Full Sun.

9/30/2007 10:06:55 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

rob i have be doing all that

9/30/2007 10:11:56 PM

SF Bay Area, California

First you gets your soil right - but you gotta know what that means before you can get it right don'tcha: then you gets the right seed, and then you pamper that plant (including many offerings of first born and what-not to the pumpkin gods) and then, just then, you might get lucky and growed a big un which developes a soft spot just before the weigh off.... which don't matter no how because the next guy growed a bigger one anywhay!

10/1/2007 12:16:44 AM

Vic, I share in your frustration. I to have been trying to figure out what the secret to a perfect soil balance is. I have been growing now for 4 years and rarely post messages here. That doesn't mean that I havn't been reading, learning and working hard. I have taken probably 10 soil tests from 3 different labs over the years and have yet to have anybody thoroughly explain in detail what I need to do to "balance" my soil correctly. A couple of years ago all the talk on this site was about large amounts of organic matter and ammendments added in the fall. Now all the buzz is about proper balance. I do buy that, but would love to find out what that balance is. I increased my personal best to over 600 lbs, but when you see other 600 lb growers now growing over 1000 lbs I know that I am definitely missing something. I would like to see maybe a Soil Test message board, where growers from new to expert would post their test results for others to see. That would allow everyone compare with their own and see where they may have excess nutrients or defficiencies. Also how to correct those imbalances. Maybe while working today the lightbulb will turn on and I'll get it all figured out. I'll e-mail you and let you know. Tony

10/1/2007 8:12:18 AM

Cornell, Wi

I would like to see results on the wallaces patch or joe jutras patch, hmmm. I added 200 yds of composted cow manure in the last 2 yrs, everything on my tests were way to high,
ph-6.8
o.m.-10.8
p-306 ppm
k-1940
ca-2230
mg-980
est cec-39 seems to me my potassium is to high and out of balance with my mg and other stuff. My biggest was 797 a pb, but this is really my first year growing ags. I guess I got a lot more reading and work cut out for me.

10/1/2007 10:53:59 PM