From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Missouri

Greetings! My husband and I saw a show on Giant Pumpkins a couple of months ago. We want to get my Dad started on growing them. He's been an avid gardener for as long as I can remember, but the past couple of years, he worries himself too much if he can't give away all the produce. His garden isn't huge, but it really produces!!! He is a retired Army Colonel who flew throughout his career (helicopters, etc. Received many, many medals for his service. He also started the air ambulance company, Air Evac, some 20-odd years ago.). He absolutely LOVED to fly. Unfortunately, he has had some heart problems and has 'lost his wings' last year at age 73...a crushing blow to him. After seeing the passion of the growers on the TV show, we thought perhaps we could get him interested in growing huge pumpkins. We are seeking seeds that will grow well in the Ozarks of Missouri. (We're about 30 miles from the North-central Ark. border.) Of course, any other help will be GREATLY appreciated. I'd like to get the seeds for him for Christmas, along with other growing 'goodies' to inspire him...books, etc. Again, any ideas here greatly appreciated!!!

THANK YOU and Happy Holidays!
Vicki Chritton-Myers
5928 CR 1750
West Plains, Missouri 65775 USA

11/28/2007 9:43:43 AM

Santa Rosa, CA

Hi Vicki,

What a great daughter you are! You may have watched Lords of the Gourd on PBS. Books that come to mind are How To Grow Giant Pumpkins Vol. I, II & III. Great new book is Backyard Giants. Check out Seedoutlet.com, Howarddill.com, Giantpumpkin.com & Hollands Land O Giants for seeds & growing supplies. I will mail you some seeds to start his collection. I am sure other growers will post what I have missed out and offer some of their seeds as well.

I hope he enjoys the Christmas presents!

Chuck

11/28/2007 10:33:43 AM

Georgia

How to grow world class pumpkins are good books to get him started. Plus there will be plenty of growers to chime in and give ya some really good seeds. Another good gift would be some neptunes fish fertilizer pumpkins love it.

11/28/2007 10:34:06 AM

President - GPC

Email the Wiz, We have seeds for you.....

TheWizard@ColoradoPumpkins.com

11/28/2007 11:01:23 AM

Southeast

I have plenty of seeds, Please email me. David

11/28/2007 12:10:51 PM

Knopp, Germany

Vicki, you have landed in the right place, and I am sure you were heaven sent, you landed at the right time. I will send you a couple of books.

owen

owen olsen
retired army first sergeant

11/28/2007 12:29:37 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Vickie,

You have no idea what you getting your Dad involved in. After you give him the seeds make sure you tell him "welcome to the madness" The only way you'll spent time with him next summer is if you go out to the patch.

All kidding aside he will have a great time growing these seeds. You might want to also give him the How to grow giant pumpkins vol II & III along with the seeds.

Your dad can also come here to BP.com to have any question he might have answered.

Kenny

11/28/2007 12:33:59 PM

Knopp, Germany

Vicki (and everyone else so we do not double our efforts)-

I have looked through my library and have decided to send you the following:

-Ponderings From the Pumpkin Patch by Jim Ford
this is one of my favorites, this is for me the basics on why we are growing the beasts

-The Pumpkin King by Al Kingsbury (signed by Howard Dill)
at first I was not sure of this one, it is a collectors item, but I decided what better way to celebrate all that Howard has done for this hobby, and give your dad some history of where we began

-The Secrets of Growing Champion Giant Pumpkins (DVD)
this is one of if not the best DVD to give to a new grower. Jim Beauchemin, one of the best and nicest growers out there shows new growers in detail what they need to do to be successfull and have fun in our hobby.

(Jim, I am not burning a copy, this is the one i got from you)

best wishes,
owen

11/28/2007 12:45:55 PM

President - GPC

You da man Owen O....say Hi to Diana for TheWiz.....

11/28/2007 1:09:32 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

Vicki,

It does sound like a match made in heaven! I hope he enjoys it. We're all too happy to welcome more great people to this pursuit.

Owen,

I have not heard of the book "Ponderings from the Pumpkin Patch". Any idea where I can find a copy? No luck at Amazon.

Regards, Cliff

11/28/2007 1:53:27 PM

Knopp, Germany

no Cliff, I do not know. i have a feeling that if you post though, you might get lucky.

regards,
owen

11/28/2007 2:12:15 PM

Belgium Europe

Diana?
Owen... how many girlfriends you got?

11/28/2007 3:01:24 PM

Knopp, Germany

Oh Jos, I just can't help myself, Martina understands though...LOL

11/28/2007 3:24:21 PM

Knopp, Germany

i do not want the false impression here. "the wiz" has mistaken me with someone else, and Jos has a picture of me wishing i was 25 years younger. you gotta love growing big pumpkins, never a dull moment.

11/28/2007 3:42:02 PM

Minnesota

Growing Goodies? fish emulsion/sea weeed, micorhizal, a soil test, fertilizer, worm castings, 10-10-10, fertilizer, manure, spagum moss, goodie ideas,,I don't have any seeds to send you,,use my goodie ideas, Good Luck.

11/28/2007 4:03:27 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

All a giant pumpkin grower wants for Christmas is a great big pile of poop.

11/28/2007 4:06:05 PM

Minnesota

Woops, I was a specialist, served in bosnia, germany, korea, & japan.

11/28/2007 6:46:43 PM

President - GPC

LOL Owen and JOS....Owen please drop me a email......lol

11/29/2007 8:50:47 AM

Missouri

WOW!!! THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!! I can see he'll fit right in with this bunch! LOL!!! I may even try my hand at growing one...maybe give Dad a little competition! =) (He has a MUCH greener thumb than I, though! But we do have poop-making machines in the way of cattle and horses...)

I'll be sure to keep you posted on his (our???) progress! Thank you so very much again and may you all have a blessed Holiday Season!!!

Vicki =)

11/30/2007 11:46:03 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Vicki, Competition with Dad will be fun. Welcome to the madness. Poop-making machines are good. All the info you need to grow these pumpkins you can find right here if you spend the time reading. Good luck, and Happy Holidays.

Kenny

12/1/2007 5:42:39 AM