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Rhode Island

MANY FIRST AND SECOND YEAR GROWERS MAKE THE MISTAKE OF TRYING TO APPLY ALL THE SUGGESTIONS THAT ARE THROWN THERE WAY HERE ON BP, IN CHAT,ETC.
YOU MUST PICK AND CHOOSE WHATS BEST FOR YOU, YOUR CLIMATE, YOUR POCKET BOOK AND YOUR TIME CONSTRAINTS.
YOU ALSO MUST SET REASONABLE GOALS EVERY YEAR. SUCCESS USUALLY DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNITE IN OUR HOBBY, HAVING PATIENCE AND DOING A FEW THINGS CORRECTLY WILL INSURE YOU AN ENJOYABLE SEASON

I WOULD SUGGEST STARTING OUT THAT FIRST AND SECOND YEAR BY

1. TAKE A SOIL SAMPLE A FEW INCHES BELOW THE GROUND IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE PATCH, MIX AND SEND OUT TO A REPUTABLE SOIL LAB. WITHOUT IT YOUR JUST GUESSING
2. SELECT SEEDS THAT HAVE GOOD POTENTIAL. START THEM CORRECTLY IN SEED STARTER MIX (NOT POTTING SOIL )IN A AREA OF CONSTANT WARMTH OF 80 TO 90 DEGREES ( NO WINDOW SILLS PLEASE )
3.HARDEN SEEDLINGS OFF IN A COOL AREA NIGHTLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE PLANTING IN PATCH --- DONT OVER LOAD THE PATCH WITH PLANTS.
4. PROTECT THE YOUNG SEEDLINGS WITH A SMALL CLEAR CLOSURE PLUS PUT A FOAM COOLER OVER PLANTS AT NIGHT-OPEN CLOSURE ON HOT DAYS FOR GOOD AIR FLOW
5. PRUNE AND TRAIN VINES (PLUS BURY ) AFTER AIR TEMP WARMS UP (OR THE VINES WILL SNAP)
6. GET INSECT AND DISEASE SPRAYS THAT WORK IN YOUR AREA OF THE COUNTRY. DO NOT SPRAY DURING HEAT OF DAY CAUSE PLANTS CAN BURN IN THE SUN - ONLY EARLY AM OR LATE PM
7. FIND A SUCCESSFULL GROWER CLOSE ENOUGH TO YOU THAT YOU COULD VISIT AND LEARN FROM. THEY ARE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.
8. READ -READ -READ - BUY BOOKS ON GIANT PUMPKIN GROWING AND ALSO ANY GOOD BOOK ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SOIL.A BOOK ON DISEASES WILL ALSO HELP.
9. REMEMBER "PIGS GET FAT ,HOGS GET SLAUTERED" IF YOUR SOIL IS BALANCED AND YOU FEED THE SOIL WHEN IT NEEDS IT ? THATS ENOUGH.
10. ENJOY YOURSELF AND DONT EXPECT TO SET THE PUMPKIN WORLD ON FIRE FROM THE ONSET

CLOSING COMMENT --- DONT BE AFRAID TO FAIL. EVERYONE LOSES PLANTS AND PUMPKINS MOST YEARS. YOU WILL BE NO DIFFERENT.

PAPPY

2/9/2008 7:26:46 AM

Coventry R.I.

pap.. what about the 3rd year grower,s..... lol

2/9/2008 8:19:06 AM

Logan Utah

could have not said it better pap good advise

2/9/2008 8:46:24 AM

Great timing Pap,

After corresponding this week and last with several kind folks who are going to be sending seeds for my first go at this, I was just wondering what I do next!

Since at least some of the blame for this lies with you, Ron and Susan Warren, it's only fitting that your advice will now help see me through this madness.

My main growing area will be a rented plot at a community garden. I'm anticipating having to do some work with the soil in the spring. Which is more important - an early start or getting the soil in order?

Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement.
Jim

2/9/2008 10:04:21 AM

Pinedale, WY

2nd year grower, thanks paps. Never thought about making sure vines are warm before pruning and training, plus it's good to know you guys lose pumpkins and plants also. Thanks for the advice.

2/9/2008 11:16:37 AM

Rhode Island

jim
being a community garden has all sorts of built in problems,
vandals for one thing ,people walking in and out,pumpkins picked while your not there.
i strongly suggest looking elsewhere for a more private place to grow.
failing that id be sure and try to at least fence the area off(if thats allowed)
oh ya- test the soil now if possible ,then you will have some time to make additions before planting time.

2/10/2008 6:27:53 AM

thanks Pap,
soil test it is then.
I'm hoping to overcome the challenges of the setting, but I know you're right on about them. Our county offers year round plots as well as seasonal ones. I believe they're slightly seperated physically and fences are allowed.
In addition to security, water will also be a challenge so I'm planning a drip irrigation system for each plant that I can fill daily from the central water source.
I'll also be putting in a couple of plants at home and at my in-laws, but space is a challenge in both spots and sun may be here as well, so I think garden plot may be a necessary evil.

2/10/2008 9:47:39 AM

King,nc

We grew our 1st last year. Started with 2 plants. One pumpkin went down in the field and the other grew to 565. Was lots of fun. Now we're hooked.
Can you recommend a good pumpkin growing book?
The hubby is getting me a back-pack sprayer for mothers day. Maybe I can talk him into a book too.

2/10/2008 9:39:12 PM

New Carlisle IN

http://www.giantpumpkin.com

2/10/2008 10:28:38 PM

Rhode Island

lizzy

buy don langevins how to grow giant pumpkins book 2, also books on the soil,etc.

565 lbs is very good for a first yerar grower. keep up the good work and get aquainted with other growers in your area as well

pap

2/11/2008 6:04:51 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Lizzy,
I have some info for you. You can email me at Glennarea@sssnet.com

Glenna

2/11/2008 10:00:27 AM

Frankfort Oh

Frank theres no help for you,your now a vet,,ha,ha

2/11/2008 11:39:26 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Lizzy, you are in the company of quite a few great pumpkin growers there in NC. Sambo, Carolina fisherman, and RogNC just to name a few! Hook up with them and you're sure to get some A-1 help!

2/11/2008 5:48:58 PM

Coventry R.I.

Rob,,,I need the more Sun,, So I CAN BEAT Safehouse JOE,,, Hope he listening LOL

2/11/2008 7:30:46 PM

King,nc

We did have help form grower Gale Newsome.
He started the plants for us last year and gave us some great tips on how to get started. I think he was as proud of our big pumpkin as we were.
We have general knowledge on seed starting.
We have had a garden for several years but growing "BIG" is another story.

2/11/2008 8:08:39 PM

maine USA

Paps, I have been using potting soil. Why do you prefer a seed starting mix? Excellent post by the way. thanks Kathy

2/12/2008 4:55:47 PM

Frankfort Oh

lol,,,,,,,frank

2/14/2008 6:06:19 PM

Minnesota

Frank!!.. Is that you? Are you back from cutting down those trees yet.. There's a sale on those sunlamps at Menards.. You could get 75 of them and have all the sun you need to go down again this year!!!!

2/14/2008 9:25:29 PM

Bristol,RI,USA.

any tips for heavy pumpkins pap? I am a almost first timer

Calcubit

2/27/2008 1:28:45 PM

Statesville, Nc

Whatz a start mix?

4/14/2008 9:03:50 PM