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Kokomo, Indiana

So I've been trying to grow these monsters for the past 5 years to the biggest one only being 80 pounds. I just havent any luck the past 3 years. They are not growing quick or even producing pumpkins. I've tried different fretz, even as far as putting in new dirt. Still nothing. So I was wondering if anyone has tried growing these monster in a raised vegetable bed? I am thinking about giving this a whirl, cause its the only thing I can think of at this time.

Frame it up long. bottom layer of rocks, then dirt, straw, more dirt, compost and potting soil as the top layer. Something along those lines. 2 boards high. Any thought if that would work?

3/18/2015 2:42:32 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

A raised bed might help if your problem is wet, poorly drained soil. I had to dig drainage ditches and raise my planting beds to get away from root rot due to wet soil. I would hold off on putting in a lot of straw as it will tie up your nitrogen. A little might be ok. Do you have any other limiting factors, like lack of sun, ph screwed up, over-watering or over fertilizing? There could be a whole lot of reasons for your problem.

3/18/2015 3:44:15 PM

Kokomo, Indiana

Indiana weather has its own mind. It will pour down rain then be sunny, then be cold. Where I put my pumpkins, they did good the first 2 years, then after that it went to hell. I put out measured fertilizer and Preen garden weed control. The soil is a thick almost clay like. It gets sun from Noon til dark. I think i'm going to try the raised garden bed this year. Make sure everything is new and not screwed up. If that doesnt work, then I know its not my calling to grow pumpkins, i'll just stick with corn and beans. lol

3/18/2015 4:37:51 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Sounds like Iowa weather. That heavy clay may be a problem and getting a raised bed for better rooting might help. A lot of growers avoid Preen as it can be hard on pumpkin roots. Just make sure the plant has several leaves before you use it.

3/18/2015 4:48:13 PM

East Jordan, MI

Preen is a ROOT INHIBITOR!!!!!
That is most likely your problem. No roots = no pumpkin.

Have you done a soil test?

3/18/2015 7:29:25 PM

Plymouth, Mass.

Definitely get a soil test as cntryboy suggests. I have a raised patch. I use 12 inch logs and I filled it up with good soil. Soil test then add amendments.

3/19/2015 12:12:47 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Don't worry about weed control with Preen. It's not a garden beauty contest. Crappy soil alone with no ferts should grow you a couple hundred pounds on decent seed with traditional layout technique, so I think there might be a bigger underlying issue than weather or soil.

3/19/2015 4:15:02 PM

San Diego

You should really get a soil test done. I only tried to grow these once which was last year, and I failed, so I am not really in the position to give advice. But I can tell you how I failed! I did not get a soil test done and only put in compost and gypsum. I used Miracle Gro about once a week but the plant just would not move fast enough. By the time the plant reached the pollination stage, I only had a skinny little plant with a few short secondaries. I am pretty sure it was the soil because there was no other excuse (I think).
I am doing everything way different this year!

3/19/2015 8:23:23 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I remembered one failure I had quite a few years ago. I started my seeds in peat pots, but I let 2 of them get dry before planting and left a little bit above the soil. The roots had a terrible time getting out of the dry pots. You have to keep them well soaked, peel off any part that doesn't have roots coming out, and bury them completely. I don't know if that is your problem, just something to think about.

3/19/2015 8:43:08 PM

Whitehall Montana

Do you use mycos,stay away from the preen.Kelp in the soil and fish fertilizer.Mix 3 bag soil to 1 bag compost.This is just my opinion

3/19/2015 10:17:11 PM

Bethlehem CT

Ryan, something definitely is not right with your soil. A raised bed with new soil will definitely be a fresh start for you. Drainage is so important. If the problem is not drainage my second guess would be a nutrient deficiency or a nutrient toxicity. If you have a micronutrient level out of whack, the soil will not be able to grow much. A soil test would be very helpful here.

3/20/2015 8:45:48 AM

Central Illinois

Svb can infect a plant and and sometimes it will still grow, but it wont have good results

3/21/2015 8:50:31 AM

Kokomo, Indiana

Thanks yall. I'll see Purdue will test my soil. I think I am going to do the raised bed. Might be best.

3/22/2015 3:03:26 PM

Stanwood, Washington

My primary area is pretty much on my driveway. I have built it up into a raised bed over the last few years and last season I grew a 1223 on 290 SF. My advice would be to make sure you have enough depth. 6" of dirt over the top of your existing clay is not going to cut it. My soil is over 2 feet deep down to the native ground and has systematically been built up with Manure, Compost and clean top soil. The roots can go down pretty far so its important to have loose soil down to a couple of feet and to have proper nutrient levels throughout the root zone.

3/24/2015 4:50:18 PM

Going Green

I have a raised bed 5 foot wide and 100 foot long next to a patch 30 feet wide by 100 foot long. It works great. Not meaning to offend but if you are planting Alan tic giants in good soil you should be exceeding 80 pounds by accident.

4/1/2015 3:36:56 PM

San Diego

1223 pounds in 290 SF...
That gives me some hope. My patch is about the same but its all I have to work with.

4/1/2015 4:41:57 PM

Kokomo, Indiana

I had seeds given to me a few yrs ago, and they never produced. So I just went to the store and bought some Atlantic Giants seeds along with some of that "Great Indiana Corn"! Got them started. Hopefully this damn cold weather kicks the bucket very very soon.

4/24/2015 11:02:05 AM

Central NY

Hey Ryan .. I dunno if your joking it not but I certainly would not waste my time w store bought seeds...plenty of good seeds to be had for the cost of postage here..just gotta ask.. Good luck

4/24/2015 12:21:56 PM