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Nj

What do you think I should do, direct start on may 15th (our "safe" date) Or, should I start them in the greenhouse in one gallon pots, in 2-3 weeks?

Thank you
John

4/5/2004 11:29:52 AM

Nj

Ummm... John where did you get the May 15th safe date number? Or perhaps your in the Northwest NJ in the mountains?

I see avg. last frost listed as April 4th in Newark.

4/5/2004 12:01:47 PM

Hayes, Virginia

Hi John,
I'm starting mine inside (already have}.
I'm a few States south of you we had a hard freeze last night.another one on tap tonight but should be clear sailing after that.good luck to you GROW'EM' BIG..

4/5/2004 12:50:07 PM

Nj

W2PYU That is the average last frost date. The Safedate is the date when people put tender annuals out, not the average last frost date. I am in south jersey. I will start them inside then on wendsday, after I make up my mind on what seeds I am going to sow. What size pots should I use? one gallon, 3? 5? Thank you

John

4/5/2004 1:10:45 PM

Commack, NY

JOhn, if you start your pumpkin plants now, you're gonna have ripe pumpkins by the end of August/beginning of September. You might want to hang on a couple/three weeks. Starting seeds this Wednesday, if you're in South Jersey is way to early in my opinion.

4/5/2004 1:30:17 PM

Nj

Ah ok now I understand. I know one thing. If they were out today they wouldn't be happy. :) We ussually get a cold spell late april/early may for like 1 or 2 days.

I used 5 gallons last year and found it extremely difficult to transplant. This year I'm using an even larger one for fun, it's cut in half and taped together, I have to carry it on a board cus I don't trust it to hold the weight. Now I should in theory be able to slide the board out, untape it and build the hill up as I split the pot apart. Just trying some new things to find out what's easiest. :)

4/5/2004 1:40:36 PM

Nova Scotia

myself i would set up a small green house with heating cables and direct plant on about may 1st. you may get a slightly slower start but when others transplant (if planted the same day) you'll fly by them

4/5/2004 1:45:02 PM

Nj

Humm, how many days should I count back from competition, I have heard something like 150 days, dose this sound correct?

Thank you
John

4/5/2004 2:48:35 PM

Nova Scotia

i usually count avg. 120. but it is better to have your pumpkin on for 2 weeks befor peek growing (august for northreners) so i would count 60 day's back from when you want to set on (most perffer july 1st) so i'd plant may 1st. planting earlier only gets you in colder weather or a bigger transplant both of which will set you back and allow latter planters to overtake your plant.

2 cents

4/5/2004 3:06:51 PM

Deer Park WA

May 15th is the last frost date here, I think May 5th is right for us this year.

4/6/2004 12:54:28 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Put mine out last year first of may in heated cold frames which were quickly buried in snow...If the cold frames are heated you should make it. You should get an extra week in south Jersey....Looking for an early july pollenation. don't want to be done to early or you'll never hold it through to the weigh-offs.

4/6/2004 7:41:31 AM