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Okla

I have been wondering how many of the pumpkins that were well over the 1000 lb mark this year were grown in a patch that pumpkins were grown in last year. How many were grown in a new patch? If they were grown in a new patch, then how much was the soil amended? I think this would be some interesting info since I am planning on growing in the same place again this next year. I have the room to move to another patch next year but need to know how many were grown in a new patch. I know a lot of growers used to use the same place several years but was wondering if the trend for doing that has changed now and if that is why there are getting to be more bigger pumpkins now. If it is new ground then how many years does it need to be amended?

11/10/2005 12:32:14 AM

Eugene,OR

Check out Andy Wolf's post from yesterday. It pretty much answers this question as it pertains to his 1407. I also know that Pete Glasier (who grew an 1195 and another over 1000 this year) was growing in a new patch. I'd like to point out that both of these guys have lots of growing experience. Their growing success certainly has as much (realistically probably more) to do with their care of the plant while it was growing as it does with their site prep.

11/10/2005 1:16:34 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Thomas
I grew my first 1000#er this year in the same patch I've been growing in since I started in this crazy hobby/sport (1999). The difference is that my soil is in a lot better condition then it ever has been before. Just my opinion though.

Phil

11/10/2005 5:55:00 AM

Massillon, Ohio

mine werent exactly "well over the mark" but i grew 2 for the first time this year. one in an old patch, one in a new one. who knows. but after reading andy's stuff i am throughly 100 % convinced it is THE SEED ITSELF. now how to find a good one......

11/10/2005 9:27:53 AM

Puyallup, WA

Seems that I remember some time ago on late night television that the MC could hold an envelope to his forehead whereupon he could tell you what was inside!
What we need to do now is to find that fellow and hold our AG seeds to his forehead and learn if we had the seed with all the right genetics! ;>)

11/10/2005 10:16:14 PM

Okla

well so far 2 with a new patch and 1 old. Anyone else have some input into this still?

11/10/2005 10:46:39 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I believe Andy said that he transferred a large amount of soil from his old patch to his new spot...will that make it 1 1/2 and 1 1/2...old and new??? He also talked about doing other major ammendments to his new spot...?? Didn't really plant in a "new patch"??? Just my .02! Peace Wayne

11/11/2005 12:05:39 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Oh, yeah, I also think that grower experience, daily care, seed selection, probably outweighs the soil issue. Stan, Karnac the Magnificent...I think!!!LOL Peace Wayne

11/11/2005 12:09:31 AM

Port Alberni, BC, Canada

Thomas
I have been growing AG's for 15 years or so. All of this time they have been grown in the same general area. Under ideal conditions, it would be nice to be able to rotate patches and let one or two go fallow for a year. That's not practical for those who only have room for a few plants. Growers who can access "virgin" soil sometimes have great results the first year.
Remember, AG's take a tremendous amount of nutrients out of the soil each year. It is imperative that these nutrients be replaced, in fact, you should put more back than you take out. That way you'll be constantly building up your soil. If your soil is healthy, there is very little chance of soil borne deseases to set in and take hold.
You can't keep taking from the soil without replenishing it. Combine this with decent genetics and a whole bunch of TLC, and you should be able to grow big ones in the same patch for many years.

11/11/2005 3:39:57 AM

Central Mi

I have been growing for 6 years all in the same patch and each year I have worked on the soil. This year was my first year to hit the 1000 lb mark, with 6 fruit. I like to think that the soil has a good part of the results but also I am 6 years wiser (I hope). I think that it takes both good soil/growing conditions and experience.

11/11/2005 3:48:28 AM

Massillon, Ohio

let me explain: i am DEFINITELY not counting out soil or experience or anything like that. but here is andy's patch and i'm seeing 700 700 700 700 1400. hmmm.... seed ?? i see my patch..700 700 700 700.... 1000 1000. hmmm seed ?? same care same soil, what made the difference ? genetics.

11/11/2005 8:30:06 AM

Long Island,New York

weather

11/11/2005 10:06:14 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

I'm beginning to suspect genetics play a very large role, as Christy is suggesting. Also the luck of the the seed draw may be a big factor as well.
I'm not discounting soil prep., plant management, and grower experience.

11/11/2005 10:20:34 AM

Puyallup, WA

I wonder why no one has brought up the effect of the moon?
Some growers are real believers in the effect of the moon and stars. Me? I believe that it is a combination of conditions.....soil, fertilization, care of the plants and weather......and the real biggie.....LUCKY SEED!

11/11/2005 9:09:25 PM

Okla

Darn, now we have 1 that believes it is the seed, which is completely the other way everyone has been going this past year. So that makes it 1 for seed, 1 for old patch 2 for new patch and one that gazes at the moon (probably with a telescope) looking for patch signs. hehehe
Anyone Else about new or old patches???

11/11/2005 9:42:31 PM