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Amherst, WI

I think it would be fun to see what everyone's "realistic" personal goal is for your best pumpkin weight this year. How many plants will you plant? Maybe there is a different strategy you will try, or a special cross you will try to develope. I am planning on 8 plants, and my goal is to take an 800 pounder to the scale. I will be more aggressive in prunning, and keep plants around 750 sq ft. (Last year some plants were almost 1500 sq ft).

3/8/2003 11:49:19 AM

San Diego

My goal, one plant. Have fun, enjoy every part of the season. Be happy with whatever size pumpkin the good Lord blesses me with. For the greatest enjoyment is not the destination, but the journey getting there. Jim

3/8/2003 3:27:51 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

I will be planting the 1074 Calai, 801.4 Ciliberto, 854 Berard and 845 Nesbitt. My realistic goal is to have one at least 600 plus lbs. In the order above, plant sizes will be 800 sq ft, 600 sq ft, 600 sq ft and 500 sq ft. Plan on trenching ahead of all vines and burying. The 1074 will have it's own patch, the 801 and 854 will share the bigger patch and the 845 will go flag pattern in the what used to be the vegetable garden. If the snow ever melts......

3/8/2003 3:32:43 PM

Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Force myself to only grow one plant, the 899 Emmons, and break 600 lbs.

David

3/8/2003 3:43:06 PM

Liverpool , England

I wanna crack 900....green if possible... I got the seed...the knowhow....the soil...the fert.....please GOD give me the weather.

Alun

3/8/2003 4:11:41 PM

well it's my first year so all i wish to do is get a pumpkin to the weigh off this fall, and have it be big enough so a non pumpkin grower would say, "wow, that's a big pumpkin."

3/8/2003 4:29:00 PM

Central Mi

This will be my 4th year and i will start 18 plants and pick the best of them to work with. My personal best is 624
and I am hoping to break 700 lbs. I am also going to get more aggressive when it comes to prunning. I'm trying to get some good seeds but the on line auctions get a little rich for me. good luck to all

tas

3/8/2003 4:34:20 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

To sit down at the edge of the patch on a comfortable white beach armchair and to see a green mass of leaves covering all of it, and in the middle four orange fruits just growing in front of me. I means watch them growing, and growing and growing and growing, during July, August, September. Maybe get the European record... with the smallest of the four, of course.
Starting date: May 9th
Strategy: I wish I get a fine irrigation schedule. Then misting 3-5 min each half an hour from 12 am till 7 pm
Crosses: the most different genetics or the less wilting plants. I don't believe in self but for crossing them again in search of the lost hybrid vigour.
Size: 4 x 600 sq ft
Pruning: straight xmas trees with one fruit on S curve.
Burying: all the vines.
Mulching: with old wheat straw after burying.
Fertirrigation: soluble seaweed powder, chemical complex fertilizer (changing proportions along the season) with aminoacids, once a week each one. Calcium on fruit and leaves
Insecticide: imidacloprid (not only)
Fungicide: quadris (+ sodium bicarbonate and summer oil)
Weeding: manual
Don

3/8/2003 4:56:58 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

2003 Goal: To hit 1,000lbs this year. Second year out.I hope to top my 822.4 from last year. This year I have proven seeds. Plus I've spent sometime on the internet this winter look up things and I have a few personal things that I'm going to try. Seeds are Important, but i've learned that you have to almost have perfect soil, a good fertilizer program, lots of water, and to devote a lot of time in the patch. Biggest plus this year is i've fun several things for growth hormones. PumpkinBrat

3/8/2003 5:04:12 PM

Webster, NY

I'll take pumpkinbrat's last year's pumpkin as a goal. Realistically, I'd like to hit 600+, but I'd love 800+.

3/8/2003 5:28:16 PM

Montoursville, PA

My goal is to do the best that I can to plant and manage two AG plants. Certainly the guidance is in place and will remain for my observation to follow.

You all have answered my questions. Others have helped a lot too. It's now becoming the time of the year when the decision is to go on one's own judgements. May I have the wisdom to make most of them correctily.

May my seed, my garden elements and I become one to watch it happen. May I completely enjoy and understand whatever it becomes.

3/8/2003 6:08:27 PM

Walton N.y.

i want to break the 700 lb mark almost had it2 years in a row 1 weighed in light and last year a mouse ate a hole in our biggest that was taping over 700

3/8/2003 6:15:40 PM

Newmarket, NH USA

I will grow 4 plants and hope to break the 800 mark came close in 2001 with a 786.8 hope I can do it this year. 3 of my choices usually go heavy 845 BB 898 LK 1260 CW

3/8/2003 6:23:08 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

I would like to hit 600 pounds. That is my goal, I have been getting some good advice from a very nice person named Pumpkinbrat who answers every question that I throw at him.

3/8/2003 6:32:52 PM

Sequim, WA

Grow a new PB of 800+ have fun doing it and win the squash contest here on BP.

3/8/2003 6:34:37 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

New personal bests(both pumpkin and squash) will be fine with me. I've never grown a green one before so anything green will be a personal best squash, so I'm setting myself up for success.

3/8/2003 6:49:54 PM

Schenectady,New York

My goal for this year will be to break the 500 lb mark which will also be a PB.

3/8/2003 7:42:39 PM

So. Maine

In the last 2 years we have grown a 871 (01) and 854.6 (02) plus some 700+ and established some nice crosses. Would really like to push through the 900 lb. wall, yes the 1000 one also but as long as we grow a RESPECTABLE one and have fun growing and at the weighoffs thats what we are looking foward to. Al

3/8/2003 10:50:48 PM

Deer Park WA

I to would like to get that elusive 1000# pumpkin. Hay Polka you have came a long way since Canby 01!

3/8/2003 11:20:38 PM

Buffalo,Minnesota

This will be my first full year of growing, so I have high hopes. I have seed from the 926 Johnson, and if I get half that I will have a very good year!

3/8/2003 11:43:51 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I would like to make it threw the season with out a late frost, Hail Storm, SVB attack, no splits, just the right amount of rain and sun. To end the season with the "Best Looking" Pumpkin at Nekoosa, WI. Plus to finish in the top 5 in Wisconsin. Shannon

3/9/2003 12:04:51 AM

Sloughhouse, CA

I plan to plant 4-5 plants. I'll try for a good orange color with one of Bob Troy's. Mitchell 842 and hope it grows good in the hot weath. 889 Zunnino 1038 Emmons and a squash. I'd like to hit the 800-900 lbs.

3/9/2003 1:02:47 AM

Roanoke Il

This will be my Fourth year growing I would like to see a pumpkin make it to the weigh off over 800 lbs + . After 3 I have learned many things and hopefully with 3 years under my belt I will not make the same mistakes. For 3 years I thought that there was alot of luck getting a big one to the weigh off but after further thought there is no luck involved in growing a pumpkin over 800lbs. A grower must cover bases covered Soil weather bugs fertilizers ect. Grow them big make friends and have fun thats what it is all about. Mark

3/9/2003 9:16:02 AM

Usa

I would just like to get an one hundred pounder. Then whatever I get better than that will be exciting and anything smaller than that will be a disapointment.

3/9/2003 10:13:53 AM

South Bend, IN

I hope to get a 300 pounder thats nice and orange and pretty with no flaws off of the 840 desrosiers for my first year then I'll set higher goals next year once I buy a halfway decent sized piece of land somewhere around here.

3/9/2003 10:27:21 AM

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

I really would like to double last year's weight of 389, but anything above 500 would suffice. I really want to learn from my mistakes last year, as I went into it clueless and use the knowledge I have gained this winter to get the weight up. Just growing any large pumpkin is enjoyable in its self. -Tim

3/9/2003 10:46:29 AM

Northeast

MY goal is to have more fun and stop worrying about the big one. If it happens it happens. I plan on growing my first squash as well and am very excited about that.Good Luck to all. Dave

3/9/2003 10:47:01 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Hey all you guys. Don't beleive Polka Dot. She tells tall tales. The truth? Polka Dot should top her states top record. Maybe the first Blonde with a world record. She is a die hard and should do as well as mosy of us guys. Hey, It would be great to see a woman who grows Big Pumpkins on her own top the 1,000 mark

3/9/2003 11:05:51 PM

porterville, calif.

My goal this year is just have fun growing them. I will start 4 plants. Still haven,t decided which seeds yet. But I have a good idea.This will be my second year. Last year was a learning year. This year will be to learn more about growing these Big Brutes and keep getting better at it each year from now on. I,ll take whatever i can get, just want to break the 200 mark this year. That will be a good start. Greg

3/10/2003 1:38:18 AM

porterville,california usa

10,500 lbs of pumpkins. 12 plants, 9 with 1000 lb pumpkins. 0ne with a 1500lber. two plants in a clear -walled hot house just to torment the whiteflies!

3/10/2003 2:51:47 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

717 lbs and new Tennessee State record. Tennessee squash record..there is none, yet.

3/10/2003 6:35:38 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

My goal?? Get the plants in the ground when I want them in,
Besting my personal best in pumpkin, & Squash and Just enjoy the work in the garden and patch with my wife.
OH, and beat Brian C. at the fair this year, LOL.
H-K-J <;-)

3/10/2003 9:51:18 AM

South Hill, Virginia

My personal goal is one pound more than whatever Bruiser grows;)

3/10/2003 10:14:21 AM

Edmonton, Canada

This will be my third year, and first year with a decent sized patch. Looking to at least crack 500 pounds. Anything above that would be a bonus.

3/10/2003 10:26:29 AM

Nova Scotia

i hope to hit the 600lbs mark here in this ungodly heat. i have an 800sq' patch and plan to berry all vines in christmas tree fashion. as well i have a good misting system to combat the heat. my personal best was 525lbs in nova scotia when i was about 16 (haven't grown in over 13 years). my fear is splitting (i really push them) and a build up of salt from watering. (it's in my water source)

3/10/2003 10:43:19 AM

Tipp City, Ohio

My goals are to break my PB of a measily 184lb from 2001. 2002 was a loss all plants due to mother nature, vine borers, and our fourth child. My biggest goal is to prevent my wife from learning how much I have spent so far on an irrigation system. lol. Actually, my ultimate goal this year is to learn more and improve soil conditions....Tom

3/10/2003 12:30:42 PM

Long Island,New York

To have Andrew Papez tell me I got lucky............G

3/10/2003 4:34:48 PM

Farmington, Utah

To get my 1260 Weir and 951 Castellucci seed to germinate. Then hopefully all the others to germ and do the crosses I am planning. Oh, one more thing. To grow a pumpkin 777.6 lbs or bigger, prefferably alot bigger, to get my state recard back from my good friend Bruce Orchard's 777.5 LOL
Kenny B

3/10/2003 4:43:33 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

My 2 Goals are#1 to not have that "uow" after my heaviest pumpkin #2 Have my best true squash heavier than my best pumpkin......Bob

3/10/2003 4:45:15 PM

Ontario

To grow a heavy 1100 pound pumpkin, and have G send me a bubblepack requesting seeds lol

drew

3/10/2003 5:11:43 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

My goals are to get the new patch established fusaria free. And improve the soil while I learn more about these AG's. Third year redshirted junior! Anything that doesn't have black fuzzy spots and grows past softball size without collapsing will make me happy!!! Chuck

3/10/2003 6:25:33 PM

Quebec,Canada

I believe with my very first pumpkin growing experience I would like to see a 500 lb'er and I hope that's not pushing it. But with some great seed I will do well. (Now that is positive thinking)

3/10/2003 7:31:15 PM

Kentucky - USA

I have the determination to grow a new world record..but.. my realistic goal is growing a 600 pound plus pumpkin. Good Luck Everybody..


Tim

3/10/2003 7:39:55 PM

Deer Park WA

Sorry Tiller, I scored a few tight squash seeds from the Master himself "Lenny S." So you might as well be the first to know that ya'll probably don't have much of a chance in the BP squash contest this year.... <:}

3/10/2003 11:26:51 PM

readstown,Wi

I have three goals this year. The first is to have my pumpkins not split. The second is to not get divorced, because I've spent too much time in the patch. The third is to go to Nekoosa weigh off and beat Randoooo from Amherst by one pound!!!!

3/12/2003 7:54:33 PM

Amherst, WI

Hey Slippery, I said REALISTIC goals. (Note to self, make sure to send mini-gourd seeds to Slippery this year).

3/12/2003 9:22:03 PM