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Northern Alabama

Hey all,
I appreciate all the interest in the 5 gallon challenge this year and am looking forward to it. Tim said that he handed the challenge over to Porkchop but he hasn’t said anything so unless he wants to host it this year, this post will act as the official sign up. The rules are remaining basically the same as the original rules so I’ll try to summarize them:
- Largest tomato by weight, variety and soil type is growers choice.
- Only 5 gallons of growing medium are permitted (it does not have to be a 5 gallon bucket as long as the container is only 5 gallons.
- Hydroponics are allowed but the above rule remains so no more than 5 gallons of liquid.
- One plant per container, no larger containers with multiple plants (ie: four plants in a 20 gallon container) Also, multiple plants per person are allowed but only one tomato can be entered.
- No roots outside of the bucket, holes for drainage are allowed but the roots must remain inside of the bucket. No, you may not cut one large hole in the bucket and place it over your finest soil, sorry Ashton.
I tried to summarize most of the rules and fill any loopholes but I’m sure some are still here. The deadline for entries will be some time in the fall but this is meant to be a fun challenge so don’t worry about it and have fun!
Also, someone mentioned the 5 gallon sunflower challenge, if anyone else wants to do that one along with any other questions, feel free to mention that in the comments.

3/6/2023 12:10:09 PM

Mead, WA

I’d like to do sunflower

3/7/2023 6:12:46 AM

Mead, WA

Got a couple 5 gallon bucket’s what’s best to prep hole in my bucket dear lizza rocks wood leaves soil layer seed starter top soil?

4/4/2023 12:02:20 PM

Syracuse, NY

If I were you I'd go here and start reading - I also noticed that the higher
the # of posts/replies to it off to the right will dictate where the most information has been.
I need to do as I say, so, it's okay to 'be myself' here, lol!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewBoard.asp?b=36

I probably won't be COMPETING(?) butt I wanna grow giant-headed Rose 29-inchers and tall corn,
(in Buckets? - Do we ever have a Tall Corn competition, LOL?);
So, as I said - let's get reading and make use of what is there already, in the time we have left.

PS---I doubt that putting leaves in a container right before planting in it will do any good = they need to be broken down first/composted, but that is MY opinion only. If yard work is tough, it'll be easier soon because there'll be LESS of it to get done, and the muscles we use to do it...
get stronger!
Just do it every other day (hard work) and it'll be like a gym membership.

4/4/2023 3:57:07 PM

Syracuse, NY

PSPS---MY intent would be to put half a bucket full of Seed Starting Mix in with Mycorrhizae, sprout the seeds in my semi-warm living room (or IMMEDIATELY place them in the bucket(s) after sprouting with any other, heated method) wait until the plant would be at the top of the bucket and add super-good, BigPumpkins.com-grower-recommended potting soil to the top and even over the top a little for settling to occur - this MAY cause the stem roots, if there are any with these things, to become a contributing factor. I dunno, butt that works on pumpkin plants to some degree.
I do believe I would drill a 1/8" hole in the very bottom of the bucket for drainage that could be stopped-up with a machine screw if needed and have a 'collection plate' under all for an indication of when it became non-waterlogged within the bucket itself. Oyyy, getting complicated. EXCITING!!!

PSPSPS - If you are still going to try to grow AGs, I have my 178 seed for you,
for free only to you from here on out in '23 (I DO like seed orders, lol);
>>>The EASIEST AG to grow I do believe! It'd be possible (I think) to send them ALREADY SPROUTING.
No PRESSURE to accept them, as I will be striving to catapult them to new heights myself in my own patches.
Whoops - Bad choice of words!
As far as advice on AGs and what to do, everybody is on here for that as well---
eric g
pumpkinpal@msn.com

4/4/2023 3:57:18 PM