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Location

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Date Posted

Sharon, MA

Has anyone noticed that in 2024, a lot more growers are starting about 10 days early and building larger microclimates (bigger Greenhouses)to sustain their early season starts, results could be lots more early pollinations With more early pollinations, like June 10th, (and not so much June 20th) from these early starts, there are more pumpkins going into rapid growth right a during the June 20th summer soltice. And pumpkins getting more optimal long day, conditions, have an oportunity to grow bigger. If you believe in my fuzzy logic here, we might be able to gro the Atlantic Giants 10 more days at 50 lbs/day, which potentially equals 500 more lbs per pumpkin for a select few/lucky growers.

4/17/2024 4:41:43 PM

Westmoreland, KS

oh shoot that reminds me I need to start my seeds!

4/17/2024 5:00:59 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The mild winter has us feeling like we can up here. We will probably have snow on Memorial Day weekend like in 2021

4/17/2024 8:13:52 PM

Deer Park WA

It was 20 degrees at 4:00 AM today. Just sayen...

4/18/2024 12:54:16 AM

Syracuse, NY

I recall the days when I had about a dozen plants, each under like a 15?-gallon clear container you'd keep in a closet of memorabilia with a 40-watt bulb and on/off at below freezing, snow on the ground still, with a timer, magically lighting up the night in about 2004...yeah, no wonder I had bigger/heavier pumpkins back then, lol---Hmmm...This brings back all the stuff I used to put into the soil as well...hmmm...19-19-19, Ironite, elemental Sulfur once I knew my 7.8 pH and as much manure as I could get, regardless of the time of year and Mycorrhizae, as long as it was before like May 1st, before a neighbor would till it in...
Good times, lol---eg

4/18/2024 3:45:50 AM

Grittyville, WA

It adds risk and reward. In the past growers have been risk averse. But on the other hand, growers tend to do whatever they need to do to stay competitive. I guess there's some technology changes too, with cheaper/better remote monitoring & controlers available now.

4/18/2024 7:30:43 AM

Bethlehem CT

I agree Steve, the earlier the better. That extra daylight has to mean more pounds if everything else is equal.

4/18/2024 7:59:42 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I started earlier this year also. It’s really been a focus to get more days after pollination and get extra growth after day 100. The added benefit is not struggling with hot weather during pollination.

We used to try pollinate by July 4th. Hoping for June 1 this year.

4/18/2024 10:41:19 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Same here Kevin, early June is our pollination target, not July 1-4 like the olden days.

4/18/2024 3:42:50 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Yes. I noticed lol.

4/18/2024 7:55:13 PM

Plymouth, MN

Blame Travis and his early start last year. In all seriousness, like Engel said, mild winter lit a fire under those of us who usually are in the tundra right now. Last couple of years have been cool starts then 90-100 degree days right around the more "conventional" June 20 pollination date. Fingers crossed to get one set before the heat cranks this year.

4/21/2024 9:56:57 PM