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Central NY

Hi all, thanks in advance for the help.

This will be my first try at growing a big one (I've grown regular pumpkins for years in my back yard so familiar with the basic pitfalls of disease, etc.) and I want to give it a try with some basics before I go full bore next year. A couple questions.

1) I have a good amount of space to have the vines to grow, but the ideal place to plant is about 5 feet away from a few other seasonal plants (flowers) and up against a fence. Will this restrict growth of the pumpkin or kill the other plants?

2) I have tested the soil. Ph is 6.5, adequate nitrogen and phosphate and surplus of potassium. I am planning on mixing in my compost with some extra blood meal next weekend. Any other tips here?

3) Haven't bought seeds yet but was thinking of the Silver Bullet Seeds on Holland's Giants. They are $6 each--not a bank breaker but still real $. Any thoughts on these or better options?

4) Planning on starting mid-May indoors and I see lots of ideas on how to get the seeds going and will hopefully get them in the ground by end of May. Do you see any problems with this timing? I am based in Indiana and last frost is usually early/mid May, and the general rule around here is to plant after Mother's Day.

5) Based on this timing, when would you expect to reach maximum weight if all goes well?

6) To set my expectations--if I can avoid disease, do as many of the things that I can based on advice here, properly fertilize (15- 30-15 plant food during May and June to promote root growth: 20- 20 -20 during July: and 15-10-30 to the end of the growing season)--What should I expect from my pumpkin if I use some of these very good seeds?

Thanks for the help as I know the above is a lot.

4/22/2014 9:57:52 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

1. if you keep the vines off your other plants there should not be a problem.
2. Sounds like a decent plan for starters. Don't over apply the blood meal; the compost will release nitrogen as the soil warms up. With more experience you will want better soil test for other nutrients.
3. Those seeds should be good to get started.
4. I would start the seeds as soon as you get them. You may have to protect them from early frosts but Mother's Day is getting a little late if you want real good size.
5. If all goes well it should keep growing until early October. But sometimes with insect, disease or weather problems they can shut down earlier.
6. If you have enough nutrients in the soil to start, you won't need a lot of extra fertilizer. If your early vines grow fast and have good dark green color, don't add fertilizer. Be extra careful to avoid too much nitrogen at pollination time. The plant will shift into vine growing mode and abort fruit. Don't over apply the high K fertilizer or you can cause the fruit to mature too quickly. A little goes a long way.

4/22/2014 11:37:29 PM

Colorado

Find a good grower in your area and go over there often-best way to get a crash course.

4/23/2014 12:45:26 AM

Central NY

Thanks for the thoughts here. Appreciate the help.

4/23/2014 1:23:51 PM