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Australia

This is my first serious attempt at growing AGs. So far my PB has been 300.5# with the generic atlantic giant seeds from the hardware store about 4-5 years ago.
Now I want to go all out and grow a much, much bigger one.
I have 7 months prep time and am reading this site daily.
Spot is picked out and just need help on best patch size/depth as it will be built up for drainage ect.
Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated!

3/28/2010 5:34:49 PM

Australia

I also should mention that i have plenty of room for growing. The main reason i am building my soil up is because the natural soil in my area is very poor in every aspect. past experience shows cultivating this clay soil will lead to drainage problems.
Any suggestions as to what growing media or combinations to use? I have the following available in reasonable quantity: horse/cow/chook manure mixed with sawdust, compost, lucerne/alphalfa hay and worm castings.

3/28/2010 6:42:41 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Use it all...raise that bed up to avoid drainage problems. add some nitrogen source since all that brown will eat it up. fluff up the soil abit...add some gypsum to help with the clay and add calcium. check the soil now with a soil test to see what is going to be needed....then again prior to planting for final amendments...read all the back posts here there's tons of information available. Good Luck! GrowEmBig! Welcome to the insanity! Chuck

3/29/2010 8:18:59 AM

Australia

Thanks mate, after a bit of looking i decided to go for a patch of about 850-900 square feet per plant.
I am hoping to have it built up way above natural soil level,so would i raise the bed with organics and compost for a while before testing?

3/29/2010 3:36:57 PM