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South Hero, VT

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=526844

12/29/2014 9:32:22 PM

South Hero, VT

Growers, if they have enough seeds, will be more than glad to fill seed requests IF

IF you send us a postage paid bubble with your return address on it.

We growers have to save our money for growing supplies.

12/29/2014 9:41:55 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Thanks for bringing this up Steve.

Howard Dill style,,,, to hand out seeds to whoever asks.

Guys like myself will still be there to support the clubs at auctions as well as any other way I can.

12/29/2014 10:51:25 PM

Going Green

If you are a big dog and you are growing the monsters everyone wants then the SASE is the way to go but if you are a newbie and you are working on your soil then lets be realistic it may take 7 years for you to get your soil balanced and for you to have the knowledge and experience to grow a really big pumpkin. The first thing a newbie should do is find a club of Giant Pumpkin Growers in your state or in a state with similar temperatures and sun direction as yours. The club will have a newsletter with a wealth of information for the newbie and the club will send you 30-0 seeds each year for you to chose from to grow! This is the cheapest as well as best way for you to go. Pumpkins which are grown locally will normally be best for growing in your area. If you get to know the growers they will share not only seeds but experience and advice on soil improvement and seed selection, how many plants for your garden and sun and rain exposure, bugs and companion planting, use of fertilizers and insecticides! Over time you may surpass the growers around you but this is where you start. Join a club or two read every newsletter and read here on bigpumpkins.com and go visit other growers. You and your garden will be better prepared to grow that big one then by sending out numerous SASE!

12/30/2014 9:10:13 AM

Going Green

Step one...get your soil right! No matter what the genetics your soil is key to your success. Also keep in mind your limitations such as angle of the sun, number of hours of sun, amount of water needed, etc.

Step two...gain knowledge and experience. There are requirements to grow a giant pumpkin which you do not have to grow corn, beets and peas! Knowledge on how to work with mother nature is a big thing!

Step three...understand what genetics work best for your area and produce the type of pumpkin you can be proud of!

12/30/2014 9:19:53 AM

Going Green

Remember newbie that you are in competition only with yourself. You are seeking to do better and grow a new PB which stands for personal best! The ribbons you earn and the praise of others is like a grade in high school...it isn't worth much but it is representative of your knowledge and abilities to grow giant pumpkins. Have fun, enjoy yourself! If you beat yourself up playing golf or growing pumpkins then your not fun to be around or having fun!

12/30/2014 9:27:00 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

This is GREAT advice from Pumpkin farm. I am going into my 4th year and still figuring things out and getting my soil right. It was a mud pit when I started. Gradually getting better, but the point is I don't need, or ask for premium seeds. There are dozens of choices for free. Go to the seed exchange page and see. Getting caught up in the auctions early on just robs the newbie of cash that is better spent on soil and/ or growth products.

12/30/2014 11:53:04 AM

Colorado

Remember that if you cant afford a 2009 seed(for example) theres prob. 50 crosses out there with the 2009 in it. Virtually every club seed lineups will have cutting edge genetics. So you can have great genetics for cheap while youre figuring the rest out. Happy new year!!

12/31/2014 1:48:04 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I do encourage the participation in the seed auctions, as this is how to support weigh offs. Like me, money is very tight but you'll be surprised you can win a less than the hottest (but no less exciting) packet to let the clubs know you appreciate the hard work they do for us. I've got lots of seeds from those packets I got when I got started.

1/1/2015 11:03:20 AM