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Genesee, PA

Just found this site and wanted to say hello and with that then say OH MY GOODNESS this is over load ;)! My Husband and I have had 2 seasons so far of trying out hand in the giants.. So far, well, they seem to be babies compared to things I am reading from other first time growers.. We have no experience, and have only done things we have heard about.. Last year we only did 4 plants and ended up with some, or so we thought, decent sized pumpkins for our first go.. This year the hubs decided to go on a larger scale and quickly realized that 16 plants was way to many! We Just weighed our biggest of this years and it was only 200lbs! With that said, holy heck, what a ton of work to only get a baby! I can't wait to get on here more and read what others are doing and get some tips and info on how to get some bigger babies going! We don't compete in anything other than with a group of friends, so this isn't to be a world champion grower.. Ah, but that would be nice for bragging rights!
As much as I hate the daily work for months, I am sad that this season is over... I look forward to meeting anyone and everyone on here and also for any advice or even criticism you all have! Ready to learn, grow (literally!) and have some fun!

9/25/2016 11:12:09 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Welcome to the madness.

9/26/2016 7:49:26 AM

Mn

Welcome - there are a lot of great growers in your area - I would suggest hooking up with a couple of them and visiting their patch. Good Luck!

9/26/2016 9:49:31 AM

Western PA

Read over the grower diaries this winter, lots of good stuff. And i would suggest only 4 plants next year so that they can get the proper care.

The next weigh off in Pa is this coming Sat. In Altoona pa. If you can make it, it would be a good idea. Meet some other growers, pumpkin talk , etc...

9/26/2016 11:31:45 AM

Central Illinois

Watch these videos at http://sgpgrowers.wixsite.com/homepage/how-to-videos-cpw3
and this winter read about 10 to 20 pages each of the New Growers Forum,Pests, Diseases and Other Problems,Fertilizing and Watering and Seed Starting

9/26/2016 1:31:34 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Welcome and Im so sorry you got involved with this hobby but it's to late now! Lol
I would do exactly what Zappa said. I loved and leaned so much from the diaries my first couple years. I think I went through every single diary twice!!!
You have some amazing growers in your area so would get to know one of them. Zappa is lucky he doesn't live by me,,,, I'd of posted up in my truck and watched his every move trying to figure out what he's doing to get such monsters! I probably would of been arrested for stalking but it would been well worth it! Lol

Good luck!

9/26/2016 1:57:15 PM

Genesee, PA

Thanks all! I will be doing just as you say, reading, reading and more reading! Wish I could make it to the Altoona weigh off but just can't make that!

9/26/2016 4:24:01 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hunter, have you been able to obtain world class seeds or are you planting something obtained in bulk from a catalog or big box store?

Good seed is no guarantee that you grow a monster but bad seed will ensure that you won't.

9/27/2016 12:45:22 PM

aurora, IL

Welcome to Bigpumpkins.com

9/27/2016 6:05:35 PM

Karns City PA

Welcome

9/27/2016 8:33:22 PM

Claysburg , PA

Huntersmome , we have a hunting camp at gremlin hill which is not to far from you guys . Will be coming up in hunting season maybe we all could do some pumpkin talk . I have a couple good seeds to help you out if needed. Contact me at
pumpkingrower@centurylink.net James

9/27/2016 9:44:02 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I was quite reluctant to succumb to seeking help, but when I did get on this site I tried to read it all (overload). Still don't have the funds to do it justice, but, I am having a large time sharing with and meeting new friends! Welcome!

9/28/2016 9:37:28 AM

Looking forward to your results ahead - Happy Growing!!

9/28/2016 10:43:44 AM

Walhalla, ND.

Welcome to the hobby. This is a great site to study. And ask any question you have. Someone here will guide you in the right direction.

9/28/2016 10:31:01 PM

Genesee, PA

Orangeneck, The seeds this year were catalog ordered, previous year were from a friend that has grown them (but only has ever had a probably like a 300 pound+) As I said, we don't compete for anything other than bragging rights with some friends that dabble.. With that said, We now know that we want to do something bigger than last year and year previous just so we can finally say that we got it figured out and can actually compete if we want to! This is honestly an addicting thing and we are more than ready to learn all that we can, especially after looking at some diaries of some of you experienced growers! Our first step will be to get a soil sample next year! ORANGE WITH ENVY.. Not sure where Gremlin Hill is exactly, but I would bet that my husband wouldn't mind if it is close enough to get together

9/30/2016 12:51:33 AM