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Central Utah

Hello, I hope you guys dont get sick of my post. I bought 3 seeds from a 1294 pumpkin...one for each of my kids. I'm not trying to break a world record but would really love to grow each of them a giant this year. I've already read the "how to grow world class giants vol.1 and 2" but still feel overwellmed with all I dont know about this sport.
I'll do the searching but I'm not sure where to start. Is there any tips to help me out with my first year besides the basics? ....compost tea's, mirical grow, natural and organic fertilzers,...ect.
I have my seeds started in 4 inch peat pots and plan on doing the x-mas tree pattern, burrying the vine, setting the fruit on the main vine 10-12 ft out,.... anything else Im missing. I'm just wondering how to keep these Monsters fed and growing with out adding anything else to them.
I really appreciate any help. Thanks

4/24/2012 12:13:52 AM

Minnesota

I have a few seeds i can send you if your seeds don't germinate.

4/24/2012 1:50:34 AM

Nottingham, UK

No matter how much you read you'll still find that there are things you wish you had done or will plan to do differently in the next season.

You just need to make the rookie steps, emjoy it and learn as you go. Rome wasn't built in a day.

It has said that 90% of what we learn and retain, we do so through application.,

Best of luck growing that Giant.

A good tip is to read through other growers diaries and see what has worked or not worked for them

4/24/2012 4:31:27 AM

Rhode Island

shawn

growing giant pumpkins was once a hobby that mostly was undertaken by adult male growers. not so over the past 10-15 years.more and more we see families getting together to grow as a group activity,in large part because of sites such as this. i think thats a good thing.

best advice i can give you is to set your sites on modest goals the first couple years. read as much as you can especially on diseases in your area and prevention.

why?, because the biggest mistake i feel new growers make is spending to much time on adding things to make the pumpkin bigger, but they seem to forget that disease (air or soil born ) will ruin all your work and expectations, especially from mid season on out.

the right insect and disease sprays at the right times during the season will make all the difference.if i were you id talk to some local growers or better yet contact your local agriculture facility for advise on prevention and protection from diseases in your area

4/24/2012 7:46:06 AM

Baker City Oregon

I've been growing for a few years without much success, only becauuse I haven't had the time to devote to growing the "big one". This year is different. I have the time...sort of. Everytime I start one project I create 2 more. The contributors to the forums on this sight will never know how much I am indebted to them(like Pap in the post above). The bottom line is no two growers are alike but there is a plethora of information here. Glean all you can. The Langevin books are a good place to start but search this site for seemingly endless information. Don't forget that nature has a way of overiding us. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Use the site search at the top of the page. Good growin 2012!!!

4/24/2012 10:40:30 AM

Nottingham, UK

To add Whitey's comment on searching for info, I find the best way to search this site is via google.

if you click on 'advanced search' just to the right of the Google search bar you can type in what your looking for. Then scroll down to 'site or domain' and type www.bigpumpkins.com

I'm a second year grower and had a first year target of 600lbs. Why, just sounded good. I grew a 494 and was happy with that. Following Paps advice for modest goals I am hoping to add 300 lbs to the pb.

One peice of advice that I have not planned for thatcould be my downfull this year is disease prevention. That's because I had no issues my first year but who knows for this one. I am sure know year is the same, growing wise

4/24/2012 10:59:52 AM

President - GPC

ThoZe How to bookZ from Don Langevin.... are Priceless...
everytime I read them I learn more....There really iZ a lot to digest...and a lot one can do, and it all takes time to build soil tilth and fertility which is number one in my book..... Watering systems make them bigger and easier to maintain, SOil test is a must or one goes blindy into changing their soil.... this site is full of great info and great people that will help you out. Research, Read, and Request...more info....Good Luck...and

If you are growing OUTSIDE>...then you are growing INSIDE>...right PW?

GrowZ'em BIG

4/24/2012 11:04:24 AM

Stanwood, Washington

realistically your probably not going to grow a world record in your first year anyway so my advice would be to not overcomplicate things in your first year. Don't get too bogged down in the details. Just make sure you get the basics. Get your soil right and use good pruning techniques. If you have read how to grow giant Pumpkins you have enough info to grow pumpkins that will more than impress your kids. You will learn a ton in your first year and you can start adding the finer points of growing in after that. Just keep reading the message boards on here and you will pick up tidbits here and there that you can try.

4/24/2012 12:32:47 PM

Lexington, Ky

If you can get a copy of Dick's Tips 2, you'll not need to read much more. It's written in laymen's terms that even my 6 and 9 year old boys can grasp.

Try to find some growers in your area, Gordon Tanner might be in your neck of the woods, he's a great grower and a down right heck of a good guy who doesn't mind helping a rookie one bit. Local and regional growing advice is priceless. What works for growers in Ohio may not work so well in Utah.

4/24/2012 1:14:36 PM

Weedville,pa

As I prepared for my first season (last year) I reached a point where I felt pretty overwhelmed. Keep in mind, most of the folks offering up advice here have grown for many years and are drawing upon loads of experience. I have decided to develop my abilities as a grower by choosing one area of concentration each year. Last year I learned as much as possible about the plants themselves (through many hours pouring over posts on this board, both new and old, Don Langevin's 2nd book, talking to other growers, going to seminars). This year the soil has been my focus. By doing it this way I have still enjoyed myself a great deal, learned a lot, and eliminated that "overwhelmed" feeling. If you would like, I could email you a one-page, concise list of growing tips that would probably help you guys a lot! And kudos to you for making this a family activity; my son and daughter have learned a lot and enjoy working with dad in the patch! frank_bouch11@hotmail.com

4/24/2012 6:13:56 PM

South Hero, VT

Go to http://www.sngpg.com/pdfs/DT2_New_Ad.pdf to order Dick's Tips 2.

The best $10 you will ever spend on learning how to grow giant pumpkins.

4/24/2012 6:56:58 PM

Central Utah

Thanks everybody. I'm so excited. Gardnerhillbilly, i would really appreciate the growing tips. shawnc@redmondminerals.com
Thanks again.

4/24/2012 7:11:27 PM

Oakland,Maine

shawn, follow the New Growers Forum back to 12/26/2011. There is a posting there by a fellow named pap, and several more on the consecutive days and weeks. Dick "pap" Wallace is THE guy to listen to for growing advice. And like Steve said his Dick's Tips II is worth the money.

4/24/2012 8:01:07 PM

Citrus Heights, CA

Shawn, Try to find a mentor near you. It's the best way to learn. Seeing how we grow them is a lot easier then reading about it. Utah has some very good growers, you should be able to find a grower willing to help ya. Ron root

4/24/2012 8:28:06 PM

South Hero, VT

Here's a link to the Utah growers' website: http://www.utahpumpkingrowers.com/

That should get you going(and growing) in the right direction.

4/24/2012 8:46:22 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Is Brent Wolfley still growing

4/24/2012 9:25:22 PM

Ray, North Dakota

It is work, but it is also fun. I feel tending the plants every day, and with my kids, is great for family time. Plus, I con my kids into pulling a few weeds!

Take your time, and be careful. My first pumpkin went just over 500 lbs, and that is still my personal best. I feel that still is a giant pumpkin, and they are great conversation starters.

Also, you do not have to buy seeds. Growers on the seed exchange link, are more than happy to give other growers their seeds.

Good luck.

4/26/2012 5:01:47 PM

Colorado

Hook up with the utah growers,hopefully someone will mentor you.You can learn a bunch by visiting a experienced growers patch

4/26/2012 6:03:51 PM

Central Utah

Richard B., two out of my three seeds did germinate. I would love to try one of yours. Let me know how much and I'll mail you some $. thanks so much.

5/1/2012 3:39:16 PM

Minnesota

I just sent out the last of my seeds, but, I will get some and mail them to you. send me your address, fogsurfer313@yahoo.com

5/1/2012 5:25:23 PM

Newfoundland,pa

THIS IS MY SECOND SEASON AND I THINK THE BEST ADVICE IS DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. THE PLANT WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT LIKES,I WOULD JUST SUGGEST TO KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR INSECTS, AND ASK QUESTIONS ON THE MESSAGE BOARD, OR GO TO THE CHAT ROOM AND THEY WILL ALL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. ALL THE GROWERS ON THIS SITE ARE THE MOST HELPFUL AND FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE YOU CAN TALK TO. WITH ALL THE ADVICE GIVEN, YOU CAN EASILY HAVE PUMPKINS FOR YOUR KIDS,MY 4yr OLD HELPS ME EVERY DAY IN THE PATCH. THE KIDS WILL BE HAPPY TO HAVE A PUMPKIN NO MATTER HOW BIG- REMEMBER THEY GREW IT WITH DAD, AND THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING.

5/3/2012 8:34:53 AM