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Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

What would you folks say is a reasonable goal for a first time giant pumpkin grower? I know genetics and climate are important. But, I want to set those aside for a moment to focus on the skill of the grower.

At the moment I figure that I should try to grow a pumpkin that weighs more than I do. That way, if it looks like I'll have a small pumpkin, I'll have to get more fit. On the other hand, I could get in some real trouble if I get lucky and break a record.

10/27/2004 1:13:35 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Set realistic goals for yourself.

Be happy to get one to the area weigh-off regardless of size. Have fun, make new friends out of area growers, & learn from the many mistakes we all make.

10/27/2004 7:45:48 AM

Knopp, Germany

ditto

10/27/2004 8:21:53 AM

J.maness@yahoo.com

This was my first year growing. My daughter wanted me to grow one large enough for my grandson to fit in! Mission accomplished! Pictures to follow

10/27/2004 10:48:29 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I would have to grow a pretty big pumpkin if fitting inside is my goal. I am probably a bit bigger than your grandson :-) Frankly, anything over 100 would make me pretty happy.

But, I don't know if there are any growers in my area to make friends with. There's a commercial farm not far away that grows pumpkins. But, I don't think they grow AGs. Maybe I need to start a suburban Toronto pumpkin growers association.

10/27/2004 11:28:00 AM

Wichita, KS

I'm moving into my third year, and I still haven't been able to grow one heavier than me (I weigh 185). The realistic goal for me these past two years has been to grow something healthy to take to the weigh-off, and have FUN! I have met my goals, and had fun weighing in last place two years in a row. My son had fun too, which is more to the point. Next year, I am adding the goal of growing something over 300 pounds, and I am beginning to breed for heat tolerance. It has a lot to do with climate and the condition of my soil, and I'm now adjusting to accommodate that, so I feel this new goal is pretty reasonable. :)

Another couple years and I'll be bustin into the 900 pound range. That oughtta be fun, too!

10/27/2004 1:02:32 PM

Hayes, Virginia

my first year growing AG had very good year
572 5th place Virginia state fair
630dmg in the front yard heck of jack-o-lantern.
i have been growing pumpkins for 10 years or so bigmax etc.
The people in BP.com are the best all the help and info you will ever need.As the saying goes if you have good soil good seed(1178rivard 1107cramer)Goood Luck anything can happen.
I think good soil is the key.
good luck
Ed

10/27/2004 3:34:16 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

I consider this my first year of A.G. growing. I grew them a couple of times before, but had little idea of what I was doing. This year I set an early goal of 500lbs., the summer was a cool one, so I quickly changed my goal to 400 lbs.
We had a real nice Sept. here in MN, and I ended up with a 615 lb. pumpkin. Pretty nice shape and color as well.
I recommend you get good seed, not the generic A.G. seed you get from the store. There are many different A.G. genetic variations around. If color is important, look for genetics with a good color in their history.
Don Langevin has three volumes or "How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins". These were a great help to me(I have vols. 2 and 3). I really didn't do a lot of soil prep. for my pumpkin for this year, so I'm surprised at my good result.
I would guess there are some good A.G. growers in Ontario. Maybe someone can put you in contact with them.
Good luck!

Doug

10/27/2004 5:12:32 PM

Springfield, VT

This is my first year growing, grew a 735lb pumpkin that came in 47th at Topsfield. The patch was newly created last spring from an untamed area with stony gravel which I added peatmoss and fertilizer. I say get good seed and go for it.

10/27/2004 5:25:26 PM

Manchester,N.H.

This was my first year and I grew a 280lb pumpkin.My patch was newly created with nothing added at all.I had a flat and split stump and didn't fertilize that much.To top it off I had squash vine borers eat my whole plant.So all growth had stopped by early august.I do not think I did that bad with all that went wrong.Next year plans are to add a lot of manure,get really good seeds,more fertilizing,and more insect control.

11/7/2004 1:32:11 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

You should just try to get the best seeds you can and apply your very best gardening skills to the patch and then be happy with the results. It gives you a starting point and a year of mistakes to overcome in the following year.
I was happy as shi... in my first year with 222lbs!

On the other hand...I was also happy as shi... this year
falling about 150lbs. from a new personal best.

Is the glass half full or half empty?
Best regards!
Michel

11/7/2004 1:52:32 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Definately get some decent seeds. Not necessarily an 842 Eaton or a 723 bobier, but you can get lots of seeds with great lineage in them for free on this site. I played around with store bought this year after a freakish seed losing incident that I don't care to re-live at this point. But I hadn't grown for a few years and just wanted to hone my skills, a good goal for your first year. Try to get a fruit to the weigh-off like I did, even if you get last place. It was a great time anyways, and what I worked on this year, I'll apply with some great seed and soil next year.

11/8/2004 11:30:18 PM

Long Island,New York

735Pukos seeds were here for free in big numbers at one time....unproven. There were others...every unproven seed has a future.......G

11/9/2004 4:49:20 PM