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Grittyville, WA

Just an idea... my budget (both time and money) seems to be shrinking every year so I am wondering if we could make up an informal cost-cutting competition. Rather than growing within a physical boundary of 150 ft... perhaps we could grow within a "monetary boundary" of $150.00. This could force you to develop creative new ideas, question your assumptions & explore new options. I will attempt to use this as a template for 2021. I've always thought that it shouldnt cost more than about 10 cents a pound to grow a pumpkin? If you're interested please share your thoughts!

9/18/2020 4:56:32 AM

East Sussex, UK

I grew last year with an input of less than $60 and this year with no expenditure at all. Might be a fun to compare notes with other low input growers.

9/18/2020 8:09:16 AM

Grittyville, WA

Getting some of the nutrients like boron correct is very, very cheap. The knowledge isnt cheap... but the actual chemical is very cheap. I think I am about the same... about $60 into my pumpkin plant this year. Maybe I could spend a bit more and get a bigger pumpkin. For me, going no-till is the biggest savings on effort and ultimately cost. (That is blasphemy to a lot of growers but strangely I have always gotten better results. U won't know until you try it.)

9/18/2020 11:55:58 AM

Upper Strasburg, PA

It’s an interesting idea. Maybe set the expense limit a little higher or exempt watering costs for folks who are on a municipal water supply or who use powered water pumps. Watering can be a big expense for some growers and is a factor where expense can vary greatly between growers. A budget of $150 will do a lot more for a grower with an artesian well compared to a grower on municipal water

9/18/2020 11:54:00 PM

Grittyville, WA

That would seem to be an inherent advantage (unless a person became skilled at saving rainwater or an expert in precise watering.) Certainly not everyone has the same problems and expenses. Some places need hail netting, some places pesticides are a necessity... Some places may need big changes made to the soil, some places may already have excellent soil. Also if you are sure you are going to win at Half Moon Bay then you can spare no expense.

I am watching a lot about creating healthy soil on youtube. "Advancing eco agriculture" are the videos I am watching. Fancy concepts but much of the stuff they do to get better results is actually quite cheap to do or can even save money.

9/19/2020 2:54:55 AM

North Of The Border

Quick question, do one time expenses, ex, heating cables, count towards the 150? Or is it just 150 put into the soil. I could probably do it in 50 or less, because all I have I my budget, is 250, and have 2 plants, and want a heating cable, so 150 is definitely possible.

9/19/2020 5:13:58 PM

Grittyville, WA

I dont know. I have some advantages already "paid for" like a tripod for lifting them... there are some expenses like I want to build a garden shed... would I have to count that against my pumpkin budget just because I use it to store tools? As for heating cables a cheaper solution could be to use clear plastic placed on the soil... in March? A double layer of clear plastic might capture enough heat and be cheaper. Then use the remaining plastic (if u can buy or salvage enough) to make a double layered cover to go over the plant. This should be highly effective, although it might not be as good as heating cables? But it might be sufficient.

9/19/2020 10:14:36 PM

That would be a hard contest to regulate what counts as money spent exactly, What about a contest were you can't use added fertilizers and maybe not even pesticides, just soil and compost, maybe call it the Organic contest?

9/28/2020 12:38:07 PM

North Of The Border

But then you also have an unfair advantage to people like Porkchop, and Jack LaRue ewho have nearly perfect soil already, and can just plant some seeds in the ground, walk out to the patch one day, and pick 7+ pound maters. In comparison, having trashy soil means that 150 dollars would go virtually nowhere amending the soil.

9/30/2020 4:49:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

Oh... believe me a hilltop in Tenino is NOT perfect soil already. Jack has put years of time and thousands into his oasis... yes I am sure these growers enjoy a few natural advantages but lets be realistic... I think what many of them invest... presses the boundaries of what is sane.

9/30/2020 6:31:21 PM