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Denver, CO

I've got a very, very small amount of space - (don't laugh)- 16 ft x 4 ft of soil. There is brick area I could allow the plant to spill into, still only totaling about 22 ft x 7 ft.

Hopefully next year I'll be able to upgrade.

But in the meantime, I'd love to get my feet wet growing a big (ok, maybe just "somewhat larger than average") pumpkin.

Questions:
1. Is it even worth the effort with space this limited?
2. What sort of weight expections should I have going in?
3. Anybody else have experience growing with this sort of size limitation?

Thanks

4/12/2011 11:30:23 AM

El Paso TX.

Never hurts to give it a shot -- figure you could start one plant toward each end of the space and let them grow toward each other and possibly use the smaller one for pollinating the larger and then when needed pull it to allow the other the space. As you say it's a good way to get your feet wet and you'll learn a lot of useful info for next year.

4/12/2011 11:38:54 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

If you just want to have some fun, learn a few tricks then I would go for it. About 20 years ago I grew a 108 lb'er from a 4 x 4 box. The main grew to 20 feet on to the grass and there were no side vines, the kids didn't seem to mind.

4/12/2011 1:17:09 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

If you get your soil right and get a seed with good genetics, you could grow a few hundred pounds. Here's kin that was over 700 pounds in 105 sq feet. Soil is key.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=118442

4/12/2011 1:18:21 PM

Central Ca

Have a trellis for some side vines to grow up on so you can harvest the sun better. I had a 500Lbs AG grow on less than 22 x 7.

4/12/2011 1:50:57 PM

Minnesota

I had a 300 pounder last year in about the same space. Grow it out the full 22 feet. It will be good practice. You should be able to get at least a 100 lbs (I think)You will be cutting off alot of the plant, they usually take up to 500-750 feet. Do you need seeds, just ask here. You could join a Coloradopumpkins.com Don't forget to read up on everything, look at diarys, questions in the search bar, something to kill squash vine borers. Water, feed, cover. Its addicting.

4/12/2011 2:16:55 PM

Minnesota

Start from 3ft or so from the end. When you have to cut off the side vines, let them dry in the sun for a day.

4/12/2011 2:19:48 PM

Rhode Island

the very best advise i could give you is the same thing i would do if i had a patch 4 ft wide x 16 ft long.

i would grow one plant only-using the very best seed i couid lay my hands on.

i would grow what we call a flag pattern plant.

i would start my plant in one corner of the 4 ft wide area.

i would run the main vine along the outer edge to run 16 ft of main vine

i would grow each side vine out to 4 ft and terminate the sides

i would set a main vine fruit at 10-12ft and a second fruit at 14-16 ft.keep both because with only one plant that second pumpkin will be your backup.

i would terminate the main at the end of the 16 ft patch or wrap it around and let it grow down the opposite side of the 16 ft patch just at the edge of the side vines you terminated.

4/12/2011 6:26:28 PM

Denver, CO

Great advice guys. A lot to think about here. Thanks!

4/13/2011 10:16:06 AM

Stanwood, Washington

I am in the same situation. I have about 8' x 12' of soil with room for it to spread into a gravel driveway. I am planting just one plant. I am going to plant some polinators in another locataion with less sun and less soil and not even wory about how big they get. I am not expecting to grow a giant but I have seeds with good genetics and good soil so I think I am hoping to get close to 300#.

4/26/2011 5:11:28 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I only had about that much space my first year. I made sure the soil was the best I could get it. Payed attention to the vines and got as many leaves as I could. I grew=a 679 pumpkin in a small area. It can be done. Do what you need to do to get a monster.

4/26/2011 5:29:53 PM