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Location

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Date Posted

North Texas

Hello. I am a relatively new grower and would like to try growing some bigger varieties. I have approx. 6' x 20' raised bed in my backyard, and I normally train the vines to run out of that bed into the grass part of the yard. Is this space adequate for 2-3 hills of large pumpkin plants? In other words, is it OK for the vines to run out over grass, or does the full area occupied by the vines need to be bare dirt?

Thanks,

JackB

10/20/2008 11:16:24 AM

South East

ideally youd have 30x 20 for one plant. Having all the vines growing over dirt. But if you you run them over grass you could grow two. Although results wil not be maximal.
For a large variety 400 sq feet is a minimum if you want a large fruit. And vines running over ammended soil is always best, because taproots wil not get as much out of grassoil.
You wil get a pumpkin, but it wil not come close to its true potential.
6 x 20 wil not be enough for atlantic giant.

10/20/2008 12:01:01 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I grew a 150 pounder in less than 150 sq ft.

The vines can run over the grass and they may even get roots.(BECAREFUL DONT ADD BROAD LEAF KILLER to lawn,)

If your just going for fun do it your way. But if you want to compete in a weigh off Take the grass out. LOL

10/20/2008 2:45:25 PM

Pataskala,OH

My 640 was grown on 200sq ft.

10/20/2008 2:58:48 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I had a 365 cut early out of 105sqfeet (7'x15')

10/20/2008 11:31:13 PM

Simi valley, ca

My 892 grown this yr was in aprox 200 sq ft dirt area & a little more over rocks, & it got deiseses middle of season would have gotten much bigger !! Also grew 330 in 100 sq ft before

10/28/2008 11:01:05 PM

Rhode Island

JACK

YOU NEED TO GROW WHAT I LIKE TO CALL A "FREIGHT TRAIN" PLANT.ONE PLANT STARTED AT END CORNER OF THE GARDEN.
THIS PLANT RUNS A 20 FT MAIN WITH ONLY FOUR FT SIDE VINES.

THIS IS FAR FROM IDEAL PLANT SIZE. KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN EXPECTED PUMPKIN RESULTS ARE CONSIDERED. BUT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GROW A COUPLE PORCH PUMPKINS.

MORE PATTERNS AND TRAINING INFO AVAILABLE SOON IN "DICKS TIPS 2"

PAP

10/29/2008 7:50:22 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

JackB...sorry for the HI-Jack, but...HEY PAP, I missed Dick's Tips 1...where are they available, I need all the help I can get!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

10/31/2008 12:04:23 AM

Rhode Island

wayne

dicks tips 1 was a list of ten things to do regarding successs in our hobby. it covered all of one sheet of paper and was written some ten years ago.

i did not think a lot about its importance at the time but many people over the years commented on how much those ten things i wrote about helped them.

now that i have more time and a cause (the orange angels foundation) i thought a more complete guide would be well received.

hell i even puncuated the cover and chapters with some "paptoons"

pap

10/31/2008 6:38:13 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

pap, is there a "link" to the original 10 things? Thanks for all you do, and keep us all posted as to when "Dicks Tips 2" will be available. Peace, Wayne

10/31/2008 6:15:12 PM