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Kokomo, Indiana

How much would pumpkins grow if you just feed them water, worm compost tea, and fish fertilzer? Would they get anywhere near 500 lbs? This is what i'm doing because I can not afford a bunch of "product". I hope I can get one near that poundage. My pumpkin right now is about to the size of a tennis ball. Anything else you all would recommend?

7/19/2011 12:07:17 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

As long as they have the needed nutrients in the soil it is easily achieveable. We had Field grown AG go 640lbs under ideal weather conditions. Preventing Bugs and disease like powdery mildew should be your biggest concern.

7/19/2011 1:24:55 PM

Ashby, MA

Last year was my first year. I only used miracle grow and had no soil amendments before planting them. I was also about 5 weeks behind when I finally planted it in the ground. My pumpkin weighed in at 655 lbs. I was thrilled! I think one of the secrets is to bury the vines.

This year I'm hoping to top 1000 lbs.

7/19/2011 4:21:33 PM

Presto, Pa.

Mine doing ok I guess. I am watering it alot. And cow poop in a barrel of water. I thought I was the only po folk out there.
We will see.

7/19/2011 7:50:52 PM

Kokomo, Indiana

I've watered them 3 times today for about 10 mins or so. I'm soak in wet from sweatin my ass off. Prayin all this effort will lead me to a 500 or 600 pounder.

7/19/2011 9:05:48 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Ryan, when you refer to product, are you referring to ammendments to the soil before planting which can get pretty costly or suplements to the plant while growing the pumpkin?

7/20/2011 8:49:07 AM

Presto, Pa.

I just crack the value open a little and walk away. But mine water is in a barrel. Like today, with all that rain the other nite. I did not water yesterday. Today ground is damp so I turned the value just a little to drip. I'll move it in a few hours. But I'll look in the barrel and see how much water went in that spot. I hope 15-20 gals. then move it.

7/20/2011 9:42:29 AM

Kokomo, Indiana

Luke i'm talkin about stuff to add to the kins while growing. The stuff i put down before planting in the spring is the same stuff i put down in my non pumpkin garden. which is a little bit of lime, cow dung, and weed preventer. But adding to the kins while growing like, kelp n fish, and bunch of other stuff, that i really dont understand how it works. Most of that stuff is like $20-30 + s/h. But right now its just, worm compost tea, alaska fish fertilzer, and water. I'm not into compition right now. Just doing for the sake of learning and having fun.

7/20/2011 12:13:39 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Ok, I asked because I am pretty basic too when it comes to treating now. I use Neptunes 2-3-1 fish\seaweed, Grotek Calmax ($12) since I am low in Cal and Mag, and a bunch of mycorhizza. I do have some CO2 from last year which was cost a little more, but haven't been using it much. I think for new people like us, its probaly better to do what you implied and understand what we are adding. This does exclude all the disease and insect control.

7/20/2011 12:43:08 PM

Kokomo, Indiana

Well yeah, I use a bottle of Sevin and fungicide to keep those type of things away.

7/20/2011 1:51:40 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Ryan, I, too, am a rookie at this. Yes, I stressed that I did not have the funds for all the good pre-season soil ammendments, post soil ammendments and an arsonal of combatants for bugs and fungui, but, from the looks of my pumpkin I think I may be better off! Day 16...86 lbs. BSD, David

7/21/2011 8:16:49 AM

Rhode Island

growing on a very limited budget does put a grower at risk of failure however there are also some success stories out there.

if your growing in a new area, one thats been rested for a while or was fairly fertil before turning into a pumpkin patch you could get away with minimal soil additives, fungicides, insecticides,etc.--------------- mostly id guess insecticides would be needed , followed by a couple to several fungicide sprays and lastly a feeding of kelp/fish/even mirical grow for the new growers.this benefit goes away after a couple years though.

its only after growing for a couple years, depleting the patch of food for the microbes, diseases that winter over,etc, that you really need to invest in the patch.ie manure,compost, hybrid insecticides,fungicides, drenching additives,etc.

many first year patches produce wr type plants and pumpkins. after a few years? these same patches do not produce anywhere near as well unless much is done each year.

7/21/2011 1:32:33 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Even my soil test was on a flat line! In the basement all across the board! According to the numbers nothing should be growing...Oh yeah, nothing was growing before???!!!!
We're tring to keep a few pesticides and fungi varieties rotating to have a chance at a large one. I go light on the nature's harvest & alaska's, plan to start boosting the feeding as summer rolls on. Hopefully I can get a couple of good seasons out of this patch! BSD, David

7/21/2011 9:24:07 PM

Newfoundland,pa

THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR,AND WHAT EVERYBODY SAYS IS STAY AWAY FROM THE MIRACLE GROW. THEY SAY IT BUILDS SALT UP IN THE SOIL AND THEN EVENTUALLY THE PUMPKIN WILL STOP GROWING.I'M MAINLY USING MANUER TEA SOAKS,FISH FERTILIZER, AND COMPOST I MADE MYSELF. I PUT PLANTS IN THE GROUND JUNE 05th AND THEY ARE 13+ FEET WITH FEMALES SHOWING. I HAVEN'T BOUGHT MUCH OF ANYTHING,JUST SOME BONEMEAL AND BLOOD MEAL. YOU CAN PICK THAT UP FOR $5.00 A BOX @ WALMART. THE TRICK IS FIND WHAT THE PUMPKIN LIKES, AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. AT LEAST THAT'S ALL I'VE DONE. MOST IMPORTANTLY WATER, PUMPKINS ARE MADE UP OF MOSTLY WATER.I USE A COPPER FUNGACIDE AND SEVIN(THE FUNGACIDE YOU CAN GET FOR $8.00 A BOTTLE)-THESE ARE WORKING FOR ME,BUT I THINK IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU LIVE AS TO WHAT WORKS BEST. SO IF YOUR ON A TIGHT BUDGET,JUST FIND SOMETHING THE PUMPKIN LIKES,AND FEED IT. ASK MOST FARMERS FOR SOME MANUER - THEY WILL JUST GIVE IT TO YOU.

7/22/2011 9:14:55 AM

Presto, Pa.

I gave my one (I just have one) plant 100 gallons of water in the last two days. 55 in mid morning and 55 mid afternoon. With rain today (this morning) I am still giving her 55 gallons here in mid afternoon, with manure tea. Now that the plant is older I am making the tea stronger. The leafs will let you know if it is too much. If it is turn the water on and flush out the soil. I did buy some 18-18-18 at a garden center. and I been putting fish fert. on her too. When I feed I put one 16 oz cup( beer cup) of 18-18-18- to 55 gallons. I am worried about the soil being to wet. So I move to differnet places with the hose. Everything seams to be working good for me this way.

7/23/2011 12:16:16 PM

Kokomo, Indiana

I think i'm goin to have to buy a different type of fert. cause my kin isnt growing that much. Gonna do something.. Running out of time to make a big pumpkin. I put up a new post! plz read it.

7/23/2011 12:30:34 PM

Rhode Island

for the new/newer grower a small amount of miracle grow when needed can do more good than harm. excess salts would be a concern only if you use large amounts.
this grower stated he was on a very limited budget. so hence the mg commentary.

7/24/2011 8:48:43 AM