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NE Wisconsin

Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jeff and I will be attempting to grow a "giant" for the first time next year in NE WI

We took our 3 year old to Nekoosa this year just as a fun day out. He thought the drop at the end of the festival was the greatest thing, and came out of the scrum with a few seeds. He now wants to grow them, which I will try, but will also pick up a couple at auctions with good genetics.

I'm a teacher and my parents are retired farmers, still cash crop the land. So time and space I have for summer. Plenty of experience with growing, but not big pumpkins, so we'll see how it goes. I have already started researching... seen every Bubba YouTube video. I thought 500 lb might be a realistic goal next year in the first go round, trying probably 2-3 plants.

Love the site and look forward to the new adventure with my son next summer.

10/28/2017 3:10:33 PM

Central NY

Welcome to the site..lots of info to look up and plenty of answers to any kind of question you have...good luck to you and yer boy,,.

10/28/2017 4:38:25 PM

Central NY

And so long as yer gonna be out in the garden anyway, don't forget about giant corn, giant sunflowers, giant tomato... All fun to watch grow...

10/28/2017 4:40:32 PM

stoughton WI

Hi jeff, you might want to join Wisconsin giant pumpkin growers, we have a winter meeting and a spring seminar. Lots of good growers in wisconsin to help you out also. What town you live in, there may be some close by.

10/28/2017 4:52:03 PM

NE Wisconsin

About a half hour north of Green Bay, near Oconto Falls.

10/28/2017 4:59:55 PM

Walhalla, ND.

Welcome Jeff. Oh are you in for some fun. Should you need some start-up seeds give me a shout. kmccarrier@msn.com

10/28/2017 6:00:23 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Wildcat, If you haven't done so I would strongly suggest you watch this documentary with your son. It is not a how to, it is a fun video of growing from the season beginning to end. For what ever reason children really like this. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=billsbigpumpkins+youtube&qpvt=billsbigpumpkins+youtube&view=detail&mid=85BA42C80C674DE0D6BC85BA42C80C674DE0D6BC&FORM=VRDGAR

10/28/2017 6:33:06 PM

Wisconsin

Jeff, Just like Rick said it would be a great a idea to join us at the Wisconsin Giant Pumpkin Growers. Then If at all possible attend the spring seminar. Rick and I will be there, as well as most all the really good growers in the state. There will be seed distribution with the membership but at the seminar we pass seeds around also, just ask!

10/29/2017 5:44:52 AM

NE Wisconsin

I will for sure join the Wisconsin Growers. Should I wait until after Jan 1 to join for next year? I will try to make the meetings or seminar depending on when/where.

All my son talks about right now is the big pumpkins. Going to be a long winter waiting to get to next growing season. We did get out to the farm today to dig up a good size patch, so at least he got a tractor ride out of it.

10/29/2017 3:17:18 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Wildcat, now that your patch is dug up, and all..your next step should be to dig a soil sample, and take it or send it to a reputable lab, and then see what the results are. This is very important if you want to grow a Slunger (Kentucky term). Local county extension agent should get you thru that part of the situation...then you can start to adjust your soil b/4 next spring!!! Peace, Wayne

10/30/2017 2:02:02 AM

Central Illinois

you can get some "practice seeds" and learn how to germinate them over the winter, they can be picky

10/30/2017 8:45:15 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Your chances of success will be greater if you can find an experienced grower as mentor in your area. If I was closer I would volunteer.

10/30/2017 1:56:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Jeez, Linus you live in Wisconson, and so does he, how much closer can you get? LOL Peace, Wayne

11/1/2017 12:59:36 AM

NE Wisconsin

LOL, there is probably close to a 4 hour drive in between us, depending on what part of each town. That's the great thing about finding this site. I can get answers/feedback from all over the world as I run into questions. I will keep my expectations low for the first year, and try to improve from there. I thought that 500 lb would be a challenging yet probably attainable goal this year.

I did pick up a couple seeds from the Barnesville auction, and I will pick up a couple more over winter. I want 2-3 plants, but probably will need a couple extra seeds in case my germination techniques need adjusting.

11/1/2017 9:28:22 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Wildcat, look to seed exchange board for seeds for experimentation on germination techniques!Or email to me...wsmpeace at bellsouth dot net and I will send you a dozen or so seeds from a smaller AG I grew in 2016, which germinate very well...for you to practice with! Peace, Wayne

11/2/2017 12:41:18 AM

aurora, IL

Welcome, Wildcat this is an awesome hobby to be in once you start to see the fruit take off you will be hooked. Make sure you get a soil test done.

11/3/2017 7:09:33 PM

stoughton WI

You can visit wiscon giant pumpkin growers website also, there's some good info and links to other sites also.

11/3/2017 7:45:33 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Like Linus says find a good mentor. It helps but they don’t have to live close. Mine lives states away but with internet, texting, FaceTime,,, a mentor can be far away and still help.:)

I tried finding someone close but when I asked KC Kevin he told me I was on my own,,,,,,, he said water, prune your plants and I’ll see you at the weigh off! Lol

11/3/2017 9:21:52 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Lol Wayne!

He has a point.:)

11/3/2017 9:23:46 PM

NE Wisconsin

Got my soil test back,

PH 7.4
Organic Matter 2.2
Phosphorus 197
Potassium 212
Magnesium 182
Calcium 1145
Soluable Salts 0.13
Bulk Density 1.10

Anyone see anything that is off? The recommended amendments at the bottom were zeros across the board.

11/9/2017 10:00:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

So. Cal, I knew it when I typed it, lived in Michigan most of my life & do realize that Wisconsin is almost as tall as Michigan. Peace, Wayne
Now hoping that Wildcat gets some good advice on his soil test results!! My only guess is that OM needs to go up!! Peace, Wayne

11/11/2017 1:49:36 AM