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Upa Creek, MO

This has been debatable in the past for those pushing for early pollinations. On the flip side, what looks to be an early spring for many, May can be rainy and cold only to leave stagnating plants.

I've started as early as April 4th and late as April 15th hoping to pollinate mid to late June since July can be too hot for one to take.

When are you starting this year?

3/26/2017 10:09:51 AM

Central Illinois

April 27th for the last 3 years, central Illinois

3/26/2017 10:56:09 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hey Luke, we always start seeds indoors under lights April 15-20, the plant our healthy seedlings in a heated hoop house on the first weekend in May. We have a cooler climate than you, but this way we manage to usually get our pollinations done in the first week of July. Our weighoff is always later in October, and September is a still a big month for weight gains, with a healthy plant.

3/26/2017 11:15:41 AM

Rapid City, SD

mid may usaully

3/26/2017 12:30:14 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Way to early Matt.

That being said Matt,,, because I've always started late like you, I have an expanded greenhouse I'm finishing now and planning on April 17th this year. That's 3 to 4 weeks sooner then ever for me.
Wish me luck but with the plans we have, I'm going to need the extra 3 to 4 weeks.:):)

Good luck this year Luke!!

3/26/2017 1:17:54 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I start the seeds last week of April and set them in hoop houses in early May. I'm in a deep valley, cold air sinks in after sunset, so I get frost when the rest of the area doesn't. It has my pumpkins ready for late September, early October weigh off. Its too far to run electricity for heat cables, so it would be real tough to have one ready for the state fair in August.

3/26/2017 1:51:52 PM

Muddy Waters

Its a secret!!

3/26/2017 9:40:46 PM

Anchorage Alaska

march 28 th .. approx. 150 days from weigh-off for me ..coldest march since 99 ..nice

3/26/2017 10:58:43 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks for the replies. Makes me feel better about starting later as in mid April at the earliest.


Dale, sometimes I see people with bad weather at the start have the best years (especially w\ late snow in the NE).

3/27/2017 8:44:08 AM

Lymington UK

As soon as Rons 1975 seeds arrive we're starting. Earlier than last year but just can't wait.
Ian

3/27/2017 4:53:11 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

April 24th for me. Earliest ever...

This bodes well for ease of pollination. I've always been pollinating around July 4th but that was with a late October weigh-off. The weigh-off is a month sooner now!

3/27/2017 5:40:18 PM

Ontario

I have to go with my gut feeling 2 years ago I started 1st week in May and had a June 26th pollination,last year I had plants in patch April 28th and didn't pollinate till July 6th, there is no sense in planting to early if plant isn't going to take off in my opinion

3/27/2017 7:29:12 PM

aurora, IL

April 16th

3/27/2017 10:05:42 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

4/20

3/27/2017 11:53:13 PM

Germany

we started at March 22th

3/28/2017 2:43:50 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I'm starting seeds this weekend...April 1 or 2. Our climates are very similar and I also have a hard time setting in late June to early July. I'm shooting for first week of June around 14-16 feet out on the main...At least that is the plan LOL!

3/28/2017 11:20:23 AM

Hadley Ny

Still have a foot of snow on the garden. I've got about a month for snow to melt, frost to come out of the ground and dry out so I can till. Hopefully the begining of May.

3/28/2017 11:59:45 AM

Bethlehem CT

I think early starts can be beneficial, especially in the South. In 2009 and 2010 I started the seeds on March 15th with an April first transplant into the garden. 2010 was my best year ever. 2009 would have been great too, if not for a massive hailstorm at the end of June. My normal start date is Mid April with an early May transplant date. I start in 3 gallon pots.

3/28/2017 1:45:54 PM

Hanson Ma

I might start April 2nd but the 8th seems more like the real start date.

3/28/2017 8:04:19 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

My start date is between April 8th and May 15th. I don't start until I think I am prepared outside for the early growth. That all depends on my work schedule and how much time I have available. This year, I am running behind. No cold frame prepared, no soil heating cables installed, soil tests not done yet. At the rate I am going it might be a start date of May 20th.

3/28/2017 8:09:18 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Jake, very similar. Good luck to you.

Thanks for replies, interesting to see the different timing by location and weighoff.

3/28/2017 9:29:17 PM

Western Massachusetts

April 7-10th

3/28/2017 9:55:08 PM

Lloydminster/AB

I usually start right now but March has been miserable enough that I'll probably be at least a week later.

3/29/2017 8:58:12 PM