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Franklin, Tennessee

Considering our average of 186 frost-free days, do I have a good bet at a multi-hundred pound pumpkin if I direct sow the seeds, or is it advisable to start indoors before the last frost? I assume many growers sow indoors because of their colder growing climates, and I'm guessing that won't be necessary for where I live.

Just assume I am trying to grow a 1000+ pound pumpkin in hope of the biggest possible pumpkin, knowing that I will likely not come near the 1000 mark. I'm just going to see how well I can do with my first try.

10/15/2009 11:52:37 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Most all folks start seed indoors in a controlled environment. Go to the "How to" selection on the home page, and read the seed starting tutorial!! Hope this helps!! AG seeds are hard to crack, and need special attention!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...hope to see you at Bear Wallow Farms in 2010!!!

10/16/2009 12:57:30 AM

Rhode Island

always start indoors. germination is faster and theres time to adjust growing conditions before setting out plants for the season.
you can also hold the young plants in pots an extra few days if bad weather prevails at planting time.
we set the young plants under artifical sunlite during the day and in the cool garage to harden off at night.
ya gots ta get off to a good start.
pap

10/16/2009 7:18:44 AM

Franklin, Tennessee

OK thanks, I will probably leave a little extra space under my grow lights next year. I will be getting a couple extra light fixtures so I can grow a bunch of extra tomatoes, as well as some peppers, eggplant, and other random herbs.

I'll be growing the AG in a community garden, but I'll probably be able to visit at least in the evenings to tend to them. I guess it would be better to set out plants there rather than put seeds in where people or wildlife could threaten to kill them.

10/16/2009 11:55:33 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

Wow, AG in a community garden!
I'm getting visions of a moonlit night when shrieks suddenly fill the air and a shape passes over the moon..what is it..it is your vine ripping lesser plants from their very roots!

Oh yes, this will entertain me for awhile..

10/16/2009 3:21:40 PM

Franklin, Tennessee

I'm going to get as much space as possible to grow the vines, there's some good acreage and not all of it will be used up easily.

What size do you recommend for a plot with 2 AG vines? Assume I will train their growth and try to keep them in bounds. I might even get permission to grow them separate from the rest of the patches so there's no interference if they do go out of bounds.

10/16/2009 4:34:30 PM

Murfreesboro, TN

I'd offer you some space we could till up but we're in Murfreesboro. It would be a good half hour each way.

10/16/2009 6:24:51 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Another advantage to starting in pots indoors is that you can control the direction your plant grows when you transplant it into the patch. If you direst seed into the patch you have no idea which way it will sprout.

10/16/2009 8:17:30 PM

Franklin, Tennessee

Thanks Old Cane - I will do the best I can with the space I can get in the comm. garden.

Mark - good point. I'll definitely be starting the seeds indoors.

10/16/2009 11:47:15 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

It shouldn't take much to get everyone interested in your plants. They'll be great!

There are a few growers who manage to grow giants on 400sqft or less per plant, but many others use almost double that. Shoot for something in the 1000-1400sqft range and you will be set. Start the plant about 6ft from the outside edge and make it grow towards the most space. There are plant patterns like pitchfork (I hear pap likes this one), flag, or christmas tree.

10/17/2009 11:11:04 PM

Franklin, Tennessee

Grow_More - I am planning on a 30x30 plot for 2 plants, is that not enough space for 2? I have gotten permission to till up some extra land separate from the family patches for growing the pumpkins. If I do 2 plants I guess I should make it 40x40 feet? Or maybe 30x50 or 40x50? I'll try to keep the space to a minimum without making it too small for the vines.

10/18/2009 11:31:25 AM

Corbin, KY

30 x 60 worked good here for two plants, set in the middle and grown toward the ends in a christmas tree pattern.Get a soil test and start amending your soil now with compost, leaves and manure.

10/18/2009 4:38:03 PM

Franklin, Tennessee

I don't know if I can till this year because they haven't decided yet what to do with all the extra land. But it's possible that I could till out some space this fall if I get permission.

How do you suggest I test the soil in the cheapest possible way? Can I wait to do it next spring?

10/18/2009 11:06:16 PM