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Nebraska

First time grower with 4 acres.
I planted 48 plants in about 1ac of land. Found out that was too many. This morning found rot on one of the pumpkins in the mass of vines. Rolled the pumpkin out of the patch. According to measurements it was approx. 164 lbs. That seems rather big for July. Many of the plants have dried out and died, but keeping most alive. I still have several big ones that I will try to keep growing. Next year I think I will put in drip irrigation, and give the plants a lot more room to grow. Any advice for next year? Thanks.

7/20/2012 11:14:02 AM

Central Minnesota

I am growing 12 plants this year and that is to many. My plan was to start with 12, which usually gets me down to about 5 or 6 by end of the year. So far 11 of the 12 are still growing well. Drip irrigation is a must if you are going to grow a lot of plants. I give each plant equal care and plan for it to be the next giant. So, that means 4 plus hours per day in the patch. Soon all my vines will be terminated and buried so that means somewhat less work but it is still a full time job almost. What am I saying? If you want to grow a big one, less plants and more care per plant is the key.

7/20/2012 1:37:11 PM

Minnesota

Get the seeds from here, soil test in the fall and spring, use the search box, read past posts, find someone in your area that is growing them,visit there patch. Find a weigh-off to go to.

7/20/2012 1:56:26 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

The way most of us here see it is do you want 40 400lb pumpkins or 4 1200+ lb pumpkins? I think that if you really try and grow more than 20 plants there is no chance that even 1 pumpkin will reach 1000lbs. There just isn't enough time in the day to care for them all. You mention a mass of vines, sounds like the vines are not being pruned or trained. Controlling the plant growth is critical to maximizing the size potential of the pumpkin. good luck!

7/20/2012 3:17:35 PM

Nebraska

Thanks for all the comments and information. My intention is not to grow the record, but to sell large pumpkins to businesses for display or individuals that want to impress the neighbors. Some questions I have is are you suppose to terminate each vine, and when you say test the soil what should the soil be at? Thanks

7/20/2012 3:55:36 PM

Rhode Island

cold yeti

i admire your efforts to make a buck. i would suggest however that before doing this a second year? do the following.
1. have a soil nutrient feeding and also a soil disease plan in process.read some books so that you understand how important the soil and its condition really matters.
2. get your soil tested before this fall. learn how to read it and react accordingly. do the same thing before tilling in anything in the spring.
3. learn as much as possible by attending a few seminars in your area this winter. you will learn a lot.
4. get some seeds from pumpkins already grown over 1,000 pounds if possible
5. plant what you can handle. with no attention the atlantic giant or any garden plant for that matter.will do little to survive the season.

this is not a plant and leave hobby.

pap

7/20/2012 4:06:11 PM

Pataskala,OH

This can be a pricey hobby also. 48 plants would cost a lot of money. You have to estimate at least couple hundred dollars per plant to be competitive.

7/20/2012 6:05:19 PM

Ashby, MA

In the past, I provided my neighbor with a couple of AG plants. He put it in his garden and all he did was water it. He did end up with on 90+ lb pumpkin on one plant. I feel he was even lucky to get that. Certainly, nothing to brag about.

7/23/2012 1:41:54 PM

Bristol,RI,USA.

spent all day saturday and half of sunday on three plants and they were already in good shape ! 48 plant forgetabout it !!!!!!! theres just no way you would need a full crew 6 people 12 hr a week min !

7/23/2012 1:49:16 PM

Deerfield, Michigan

Now that it's September, I think we would all like an update. Anything big?

9/16/2012 11:26:29 PM