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Torrance, Ca.

Hi, my name is Chris and its my first year growing AG's,,,,,, Boy am I excited!!!!!! Been preparing all winter for this time to come!

How many other first year growers for 2012 ?????


Good luck to all!!! :)

5/11/2012 9:58:22 PM

Bristow Oklahoma

his is my second year and have been chating with other growers I really am enjoy this year..

5/11/2012 10:27:19 PM

Omaha, Ne.

This will be my 2nd year. Besides just throwing some pumpkins seeds anywhere.
My life will never be the same again. lol
Go big or go home. wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee <><

5/12/2012 12:19:05 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Its a whole new world on the Giant pumpkin side Darren!


The airless still might be in order this season!

5/12/2012 1:02:01 AM

Deerfield, Michigan

It's my first year also and for what I've spent already on this hobby I could had bought a semi full of pumpkins. lol
I think the hardest thing will be identifying problems before they do you in for the season. BP.com has helped settle my first year jitters.

5/12/2012 3:40:31 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

This is my first year where I am making a serious effort to grow a really big pumpkin and a few other giant vegetables. I'll be happy to grow anything over 1,000lbs since I brought in all new soil (and aged horse manure) and the mycrorizal growth is just starting. This fall I'll plant a cover crop so that I'll be in good shape next spring.

5/12/2012 6:25:27 AM

Piqua, Ohio

If you first year growers don't belong to a club I recommend it, my first two years I didn't and had bad results. The advantage is other members will personally help you distinguish disease problems and what products to use. I have two growers that live less than half a mile away, if I have something I can't figure out odds are they can. Good luck and stick with it, I was bit by the pumpkin bug and it's all I think about.

5/12/2012 8:35:45 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Chris if you use the airless. Won't your costumers ask why there house smells fishy. LOL

5/12/2012 12:00:01 PM

Torrance, Ca.

A little fish, humic and eagle make the paint job last longer!

5/12/2012 4:14:45 PM

Allentown, PA

Allentown, PA here.

First year!! YAY!!

I'm working diligently on my patch in hopes of a decent weighing pumpkin for my first year.

Good luck to everyone!!

5/12/2012 7:03:25 PM

Kansas

This is my second year and I love it, just to see how big I can get a pumpkin to grow it's like a bug. I take a list at the beginning of the season from my family members and they take a guess at how I can do. Last year my largest was 300 and next 262. This year my goal is 500.

5/12/2012 7:39:42 PM

Braceville, IL

Second year. But really my first year got started real late last year Didn't pollinate till august. But had a blast. Bp.com has taught me alot. I'm adduced now.

5/12/2012 10:44:33 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Second year, and again, limited budget. Goal just like Crash. I'm focused on building my soil for the next few years using what's available, mostly leaves collected last fall from neigbors lawn. As they bagged it, I put it on my compost pile, then returned the bags to refill. I getting some great dirt, and hope it helps me get to that 500 lbs. this year! Best of luck (hard work) to you and all the new addicts! BSD, David

5/13/2012 9:33:01 AM

Rhode Island

the genetics available today are fantastic.information is available everywhere.500 plus is certainly more than attainable if you new growers concentrate on a few simple things

1. plant a proven seed---dont experiment with unprovens until you have more skill
2. do at least a modest job of balancing your soil and ----dont over do the fert applications.
3. do spray for cuke beetles,squash bugs and borers,aphids and any other garen pests.
4. learn how to train a plant properly.cut enough tap roots around your pumpkins main and sides (before the fruit stem )to allow fo any possible vine stress.
5. put something like mill fabric under your choosen pumpkin before its to big to lift.

i dont expect new growers to go to the lengths that the seasoned competition grower would do however,some modest investments regarding plant and disease maintenance on you part can make the difference.

pap

5/13/2012 11:54:16 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Always amazing words of wisdom Pap!


Thanks for all your time!

5/13/2012 12:07:17 PM

Valencia Spain

im also second year grower, last year were 1 pound seeds from ebay

5/13/2012 3:30:19 PM

morristown, Tn email fredwhitacrejr@yahoo.com

i,m a 7 year grower

5/13/2012 4:01:02 PM

Rapid City, SD

seems every year is a first for me........lol

5/13/2012 8:43:41 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Year 2 for me. I Grew 441# in a soil with a 5.6 PH last year. This Year I tested and ammended the soil and i am Shooting for 800#

5/14/2012 4:22:37 PM

Minnesota

There are 1st year growers that beat my 318pb every year, looking to change that this year!

5/14/2012 4:36:25 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Always something funny Richard! :)


As long as I beat" Hamelio " I'll be ok.

5/14/2012 6:36:12 PM

Rio Linda

I'm going for a first this year too, thanks to my friend Candace! She had a couple of "extra" seedlings she sprouted and didn't want so here we are! I think she is trying to convert me over from giant watermelons. At least I can eat those. Can you eat the big pumpkins? Do they have any flavor?

5/17/2012 3:56:57 PM

President - GPC

They taste like chicken.......

SO Cal Grower....you already got him beat...you can take diary pics.....!

5/17/2012 4:35:18 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Good one WiZ :)

5/18/2012 8:58:26 PM

Centennial, Co.

OK, since we are talking about EATING giants, what about tomatoes! Taste like chicken, too, Wiz?

5/23/2012 5:36:45 PM

Hinckley MN

We ate alot of small AG blossoms last year. I don't use systemic insecticides or much of any sprays. I cook them like zucchini and they taste mildly pumpkiny.

5/23/2012 9:25:59 PM

Mount Vernon, Washington

First year here too. I experienced the "too much information" panic and almost tossed the whole thing (no hoop house, no heating coils). So I had to stop reading everything for awhile and just did my own thing. Very excited to see what comes up.

5/26/2012 1:32:50 AM

Oakland,Maine

Third year grower here. Like matt-man said, seems every year is a first, because each year you get a bit more involved in how to grow and you realize there is so much you still don't know. Early successes can make you think you have this hobby mastered, but then something you've never dealt with comes along and shows you how much of an amateur you really still are. Read, read, and read some more. This site is the best place to learn. And don't be afraid to ask questions. The folks on here are your mentors as well as your competitors.

5/26/2012 5:57:48 AM

Torrance, Ca.

The fun has now begun!!!

6/9/2012 11:20:45 PM