From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Knopp, Germany

Over the last two years I have collected the following lessons learned from this site, the growers here and my experience:
1. Prepare your patch, till as deep as possible, 12” minimum. AGs roots thrive on loose soil.
2. Amend your soil with manure, compost and leaves.
3. Get a soil test and follow the recommendations to adjust pH, etc.
4. Grow in a christmas tree style pattern if possible.
5. Foliar feed with seaweed/fish fertilizer about every 5 days or so.
6. Keep the soil moist…do not over or under water, depends on weather. Your leaves must be dry before it gets cool at night to prevent powdery mildew.
7. Pollinate all on main and then measure regularly, looking for fastest grower with good shape and stem position.
8. Bury all vines.
9. Terminate growth on side vines at 14'-16’ .
10. Let main vine grow to a 25' length, may be longer or shorter depending on fruit set.
11. Heat source in cold frames at night, jugs of hot water with blankets if nothing else.
12. Weed by hand...use boards to minimize compaction.
13. Read all posts at this site, you will learn from others questions/experience.
14. Use the search ability of this site, 90% of the questions have been asked and the answers are already here.
15. Ask questions if you can’t find the answer. Do not be afraid to email someone privately with a question.

These are just my top 15, there are many other areas that should be considered.

9/19/2003 2:30:39 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Great points made on reading the back posts and using the search function and emailing privately. The people here are always happy To help. Soil Prep, irrigation, fungus and insect control are some of the keys ... The weather is the weather you have to lnow your patch to deal with the conditions. Thanks Owen for the post.

9/20/2003 7:42:49 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Hey Owen, you shouldn't write that here, you can cause Don Langevin to not sell any book!

I have to say that yours is the best resume of fine techniques in AGP I ever seen. I only would comment one little point on the list.
10. Let main vine to grow all you can, and if you can don't deadhead it.
I did that on my 1036, and Bruce Whittier on his 1458; they reached about 50' length.

Carlos

9/20/2003 6:46:35 PM

Cologne / Germany

Carlos, is that a 50' main vine with all the secondaries still on it? That would mean you need at least 1500 sqft for 1 plant, pretty much space;-)

9/22/2003 6:46:45 AM

Canada

Thanks for the list of most valuable tips on growing giant pumpkins I have ever found. Good luck with your growing.

10/12/2003 9:05:28 PM