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Austin, TX

Hi everyone!
As a whim to do something interseting with my 6yo son, we planted some Jack O' Lantern pumpkins this year. Things are going pretty well, and I am learning a lot from this site. We have lots of vine and one nice pumpkin so far. I posted a pic in the gallery. I'll share the link when it shows up. My main concern right now is the the vines have taken over a whole corner of the yard and the grass is growing rather tall up around the vines since I can't really cut it. Is that going to cause any big problems? It looks like some of the vines that are deep in the grass are a bit yellow compared to other parts of the plant. I was considering burying those vines. Is that a good idea? We have a had a few borer problems, but I started using some Sevin and that seems to be working well. I am not using any other products on the patch at this time. I like to practice low impact gardening, letting the plants do what they do best and letting nature take its course, to a point. Any other tips would be appreciated. I haven't grown any pumpkins or squash since I was a boy (we used to grow a lot of zuccini). If things go well this season, we will grow a bigger variety next year. I showed my son some of the pics on this site and he is even more excited to say the least.

7/4/2004 8:52:56 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Awesome! That's what got us hooked again too. Also 6yo at the time. ;o) A fine age.

Enjoy the time more than the result. The children do. When he's all grown up & starting a garden with his children, neither of you will ever regret losing one fruit to Squash Vine Borers. But you will cherish the time spent sharing & learning things together forever.

The grass can both exclude & harbor certain pests. But your Sevin sprays will control most insect pests if timed correctly.

Fungus diseases may also be more troublesome due to reduced air circulation. So if Powdery Mildew is a problem where you are, perhaps an evening fungicide spray here or there would help.

All this aside, a childs pumpkin patch is a special place. Individual fruit weights aren't as important as color & shape & sharing extras with friends & family. The most important part of a childs patch is the time parent & child spend together learning. The sense of accomplishment & pride helps build character that lasts a lifetime.

As a boy on the farm, I remember many hours spent "imagining stuff" in our patch.
I don't ever remember seeing weeds (though they were surely there) nor regretting some "trick" we could have used to increase yield.
I remember the look on our neighbors face as we presented her a mis-shapen extra.
I don't remember one bit of agronomic instruction from age 6, though it was likely there.

The Powdery Mildew & frost damaged patch on a crisp fall day is a very fine place for anyone to sit & contemplate life. Especially on a cloudy or misty day, with a couple damaged fruit sitting there rotting, it's a place where little else can effect you besides the surreal reality of Nature.

Given the space requirements, we should all strive to keep a "low input patch" somewhere. The less kept the better. Be sure to have a seat.

It helps make & keep us Human.

Steve

7/4/2004 9:56:33 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

BD - Welcome aboard.
Steve pretty much hit it all there and then some....

Warning - giant pumpkin growing can be addictive behavior!

FYI - If your thinking about a larger variety you'll definately need some more room. The Atlantic Giant variety needs to be trained and pruned accordingly. If you let this one grow naturally it will become a tangled mess in no time.


Burying the vine @ each leaf node encourages additional root growth. Not too sure how much value this will be to you since there is no open soil in the grass. - what the heck give it a try if you want. Covering the vine will also reduce the surface area for the SVB to enter.

Good Luck & have fun!

7/4/2004 1:14:00 PM

Austin, TX

Thanks for the replies. Steve, you really hit the nail on the head. Every morning when I hear the call "Dad, let's go check on the pumpkin!", the joy it brings me is deep, and it's a great way to start the day. He is so excited and proud of what we are growing, it just make me whant to do it more and more. I'll have to try not to get too carried away!

Here is the link to the pic I posted: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=2976&gid=1

This variety is only supposed to get to about 10lb. I think we are on track to beat that.

I think I will start to bury some of the vines. If nothing else, maybe it will help control some of the grass growth right along the vines.

What is the best think to use for powdery mildew? I saw some developing on one of my Crepe Myrtles yesterday so I think it's time to take precautions. We just had the second rainiest month ever and everthing is quite moist.

7/5/2004 11:50:13 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

BD

Powdery Mildew has started earlier here this year than normal as well. What we apply for it is less important than the rate & time we apply it.

If you can find it in the garden center, look for the consumer brand name "Spectracide". They'll have a fungicide with the active ingredient "Myclobutanil". That will do a nice job on Powdery Mildew. Sunday night after sundown only. Thus the boy doesn't get into it either.

Another option is the less toxic Baking Soda (1 Tbsp/gallon) with a 1% solution of Superior Horticultural Oil. Use only Superior Oil for this since the Volck or Dormant Oils are impure & much more likely to cause spray injury. 1% is 1.28 oz per gallon or about 2 Tbsp.

If you can't find these things, then try an older established Mom & Pop garden retailer in your area. Ask to speak with the owner. The older tenured folks might not be on the cutting edge of technology, but they'll rarely get you in trouble either.

If you must shop in a "Bog Box", then check what they tell you here.

7/5/2004 1:19:05 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I checked the picture you posted. You're off to a fine start. Don't discourage if your son has trouble staying enthused all summer. Halloween is still a very long way off to him. Just keep it as simple & interesting as possible within the pressures of Cartoon Network, etc.

I believe if all we ever grew were "Jack-B-Littles" my son would remain equally enthusiastic. But winning an award & an honorable mention last year at the Durham Fair for their school's pumpkin (we actually tended it ourselves during the summer as we are again this year) really left an impression.

2003 Diary:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2003&grower=23647&action=L

In the words of the infamous Stan Pope of Boy Scouting fame, "If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"

We tweak that a bit to: "If it's not for the Kids, it's for the birds!" You get my drift.

Sometimes parents get too involved in things for their kids benefit. We make it overly technical in our own apiration to provide them with the greatest results possible. It is only natural to want the best for our kids. But best needn't always mean biggest. We rationalize this logic to suit our own desires & competitive nature. LOL

Just have fun for now. If he enjoys it & you are both ready, we'll all send you more seeds & advice than you'll ever know what to do with! LOL Obviously with the folks here, you needn't go it alone whatever you decide.

7/5/2004 1:20:33 PM

northern indiana

It may be too late but you forgot to mention our motto/disclaimer! Giant pumpkin growing is very addictive!
My daughter is 4 and loves growing things. Of course this is always on her schedule. Her intrest comes and goes like the rising and setting of the sun, but thats ok. Last yr I got pics of her up to her waist in a pumpkin grabbin for seeds. Now she wants to grow them everywhere.
Have fun with it. Wait till you see the look on your sons face when he gets to see a big one in person! Pictures just don't do these monsters justice. If you decide that you want to give giants a try next yr let me know and I will send you some seeds. good luck!
Eric

7/6/2004 10:29:11 PM