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Charlotte, NC

In an effort to better my chances of producing a pumpkin that grows bigger than a ping pong ball next year, I feel as though I must arm myself with the proper tools and supplies. Is there a starter pack that someone can/will reccommend?
I realize there are products out there that I may nor need until an issue arises that would necessitate those products. Items such as species specific pest control, hoophouses, and the like. I won't worry about these until I need them.

But for the intital tilling, planting, gorwing I'd like to be armed with the weapons of choice; organic mediums, boosters, and amendments, etc...

7/22/2010 7:28:12 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

You need to figure out what type of soil you have and then go from there. Here's a link, but these steps are only the very basics.


http://www.backyardgardener.com/wcgp/tips/10steps/10steps.html

7/22/2010 8:11:29 AM

Minnesota

You could send a email to Extremepumpkinstore.com, he grows big pumpkins and sells everything you need, I'm sure he could recommend alot to you. Also Hollandsgiant.com, he grows big pumpkins and sells supplys. Two basic things, Seeds, get them here for free, in late fall winter in seed exchange growers will be offering seeds from this years pumpkins, your soil, have a soil test done in the fall, (post results here for advice on what you need) add amendments, retest in the spring, add what ever you need.

7/22/2010 8:55:37 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks Richard. This is my first year too, and I wasn't sure how the soil process\testing worked. I would have waited till spring.

7/22/2010 9:09:20 AM

Minnesota

Any questions just ask, I forget the name of a soil tester, I sent mine to Modesto, CA. The plants use alot of water also. My 3rd year, not alot of help.

7/22/2010 4:18:12 PM

Cincinnati,OH

The secret is in the soil.
If you soil isnt very good all the other stuff doesnt really matter that much.
If your a beginner and a real soil test isnt in the plans, add lots of manure and organic matter.
Choose a insecticide, you have to use at least one.
Choose a fungicide, you have to use at least one.
Goes without saying, get some free seeds from someone here

7/22/2010 9:21:36 PM

Fresno, CA

You can get same soil tests at A&L Eastern Labs (Richmond, VA) cheaper than at Western office (Modesto, CA). http://al-labs-eastern.com/

7/23/2010 2:28:59 AM

Charlotte, NC

Thanks for all of your replies.
The soil sounds akin to the water in an aquarium. Without quality water with the right microbes/critters in it and a way to filer out the bad ones you end up with a nasty ugly aquarium and fish that don't display their best.
Without quality soil with the right chemistry(N-P-K) and critters(earthworms) and a way to filter out the bad ones(fingicides/insecticides) you end up with a patch that.....well.....looks alot like mine...nasty and ugly.

Tests are definitely in the plans for both the fall and winter. Since this is a rental property, it will be difficult to dig/build/grow like I am envisioning for next year but plan to go as big as I can.

My bro-in-law has access to all the goodies(warrior and the like) and may even have ways to obtain soil tests cheaper. I'm sure he has easy access to all other fungicides, as well, since he is a landscaper, with a license of course :)

Can't I also send my soil samples to my local exchange? Has anyone used their local exchange for test, or does everyone use a third party lab?

7/23/2010 8:18:27 AM