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Portland, Oregon USA

First of all Thank you very much for the quality seeds. I have successfully germinated and started four 457 Derosiers and two 814 Girgis. I moved them outdoors 4 days ago and they seem to be doing fine, perhaps a little early as they are just starting to grow their true leaves. They do look healthy though with no sign of shock. I am growing in the Pacific Northwest, (Oregon) and have not taken any precautions for protecting the hearty little starts. I figure I will let nature take it's course and see what happens - I figure as a first time grower I would be pretty excited with anything over a hundred pounds. Thank you for this great source of pumpkinis giantis, many of my questions have allready been answered, but here is one more. Will it be possible for me to have any success with my 10'x 10' pumpkin patch? are there any suggestions for trailing the vines? Should I run them out along my lawn? could they be trailed upon my fence and back to the patch where I could set my pumpkin? Thanks in advance for any of your thoughts, and thank you for your website - I am allready having a blast with my new hobby.
WannabeBIG

5/17/2000 6:49:34 PM

Enumclaw WA

I am also a first timer and can't speak to the size of your patch, but after picking up a copy of "How to Grow Giant Pumpkins" and saw the pictures, I was shocked at how much room the foilage took up according to the photos. I am hoping I can train my vines somehow. I am growing in Enumclaw Washington (near Mt Rainier) so we can compare notes. I transplanted mine a week ago and they are doing fine. I did put a floating row cover (really really light weight pourous cloth) on top of the transplants for pest protection and a little warmth. Good luck! Munchkin Pumpkin

5/17/2000 11:40:55 PM

Connecticut, USA

Your very welcome for the seeds. If you grow in a 10x10 area you will have to allow the vines to go out into your lawn. The only thing with the lawn is that is makes it harder for the tap roots to penetrate. Thanks for the kind words about the web site.

5/18/2000 7:39:10 AM

Portland, Oregon USA

Thanks for the replies. Yes, the space that these monsters take up is amazing, I guess I'll just have to take it one vine at a time.
Hello Munchkin - You bet, we will have to compare notes. I am down in Portland, good luck to you!
wannabeBIG

5/18/2000 2:37:05 PM

PA

I had an idea for your small patch. If you don't mind scraping up your yard a little bit maybe you could scrape the grass off in a path just ahead of the vine. Not every vine but the main ones. I think you could pin them down by making u shaped pins. I do this in my patch for some wind protection. I cut plastic clothes hangers for pins. If you do this it might be hard to trim the grass around the vine but I think it might be worth it.
Good Luck,
Amy

5/18/2000 10:14:30 PM