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San Jose, CA free_to_live@comcast.net

Hi All! Last night I saw a pgm on PBS about growing giant pumpkins in New England. I found this website, but I don't know if I should try to find one in California. I will start reading up on the subject here, but I'm wondering if I need to try to find seed locally, or whether that matters. The season is about over here, so I have plenty of time to research before spring planting. I'm looking forward to this new interest now that I'm retired! Any suggestions will be appreciated!

9/21/2007 10:32:21 AM

Santa Rosa, CA

Free2Live,

You may have seen Lords of the Gourd on PBS. It was about growers in upstate New York. This is an excellent site to learn about growing big pumpkins. Books such as How To Grow Giant Pumpkins, Volumes I, II and III are also good.

Growers plant what they want to, not just seeds from pumpkins grown in their area.

You really should consider checking out some weigh offs. That way you can see the pumpkins and meet the growers. There is one in Elk Grove on October 6th, one in Santa Rosa on October 7th, one in Half Moon Bay on October 8th and one in Morgan Hill on October 13th. I believe there may be 2 more after that.

Chuck

9/21/2007 10:58:21 AM

western Kentucky

Hang around this site... this site is full of great people that are more than willing to answer all the questions that you have. As for the seeds... plenty of free seeds will be up fr grabs. Come late Oct-Nov people will be more than happy to share seeds with great genetics. The books help, How-to-Grow Giant Pupmkins 2 is an awesome book that will really help you with that research this winter. This was my first year really growing and with the help of people from this site, and the books I ended up with 850 pounds.

Justin

9/21/2007 11:03:18 AM

San Jose, CA free_to_live@comcast.net

Dear Farmer Chuck,
Thanx so very much for the info. I will definately go to some of the weigh offs! I only knoew about the one in Half Moon Bay, so I'm really glad you told me about the others. I appreciate the help!!! Do you grow, or just interested in the subject?

9/21/2007 11:04:03 AM

San Jose, CA free_to_live@comcast.net

Thanx, Chuck! WOW! 850 lbs!!!! I can see from the speedy replies that you're right, this is a wonderful site with great people! I look forward to reading and impressing my grandchildren, friends and family!! I have so much research to do, but does anyone know if deer will nibble my pumpkin vines??

9/21/2007 11:09:28 AM

San Jose, CA free_to_live@comcast.net

oops, the thanks was for Chuck AND Justin, who grew the 850 pounder. sorry...

9/21/2007 11:11:36 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

Hello free2live,
You can get all the seeds you will ever need from people on this site this fall. Several of the people in the show you watched are on this site regular. Come into chat and you can meet them.
Doug,
Jn. 3:16

9/21/2007 12:24:50 PM

Minnesota

This is the web site for agpumpkins, everything there is to know about growing atlantic giantic pumpkins is here.

9/21/2007 4:11:41 PM

Central Ca

Alright, another giant pumpkin grower. Help us bring the record back to CA. This site has helped me so much. Along with the book "How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins III". But, going to weigh-offs has helped me the most. Face to face with the most experienced growers willing to share their wisdom,(for free!)...you can't beat that. It's lots of fun.

9/21/2007 5:15:49 PM

San Jose, CA free_to_live@comcast.net

This site is amazaing!! Modesto! I have family there! I can't wait for the weigh-offs. I'm so looking forward to learning and growing. thank you all for the encouragement.

9/21/2007 6:24:53 PM

Fairfield, California

i also live in california but due to me moving here this summer i wasnt able to grow anything. but ya this site is pretty awesome. i would recommend u go to the half-moon bay giant pumpkin way off. There are many famous giant pumpkin growers that go to that way off.

9/23/2007 12:21:32 AM

Santa Cruz, CA

We also live in California- Santa Cruz infact. You will love this site and learn so much. Welcome to the world of giant pumpkins!!!

9/23/2007 1:42:41 AM

Modesto, CA (phil@philthegardener.com)

Hi All,
I got interested in Giant Pumpkins while doing some research for another gardening subject. I am really fascinated with the giant pumpkin idea and am working on learning all I can so I can grow one myself next year. That PBS prgm was fascinating. "Heatstroke" I also live in Modesto. Send me an email at phil@philthegardener.com if you want. I'd like to chat with you and any of the rest of you pumpkin lovers. I plan to go to Half Moon Bay. Now for the next question? There is a weigh-off in Salinas and Santa Rosa on the 7th of October. Which one do I choose?
Good to find this forum and good to meet you all.
philthegardener

9/24/2007 12:48:41 PM