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ValleyField Quebec

I am wanting to grow giant pumpkins for holloween jack-o-lanterns. I have a lot questions. I have 20 feet x 8 feet patch what can I grow in it? I have ordered Dill's Atlantic Giant pvp variety 7 seed from 500-700 lb and Prizewinner (Hybrid). Will i have enought room for one AG if i prune and train it? If so should i get a different type of AG seed other then ones i order? And where can I get them?

5/9/2006 11:32:58 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Need more space than 160sqf. Is this spot in an area where you can allow the vines to grow over the grass. Better yet if it is, just till that grass in as you will do it eventually anyhow.

5/9/2006 12:16:47 PM

Nipomo, California

Any ag plant you try would roar through your 8 foot width. So would a prizewinner. I grew a pw last season and was surprised it was as vigorous as an ag.My suggestion would be to if there's any way possible you can get any more then 8 feet then your in business. What's the reason you can only go that wide? Over the years I've had to approach my wife very carefully asking if I can till up just a little more lawn to widen my patch. I've found out that a dozen roses or chores can usually get a couple of feet more per season.

5/9/2006 12:29:49 PM

ValleyField Quebec

Its the wife :) but I think I can pull this off, add 1-2 feet to the north so it will hit the shed and as the plant gets bigger convence the wife that I need more room and get 3-4 feet more to the west, I can't go anymore to the south because I'll block the gate. I did a diagram showing my patch.
http://www.trkids.com/pumpkin/Pumpkin_patch.jpg

5/9/2006 1:05:43 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

lol...you need a compromise..my larger patch in 2003 cost me a kitchen floor. The following year we plowed the back yard in to pumpkin patch so she had a place to grow against me.

5/9/2006 2:26:13 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Hamj

If you want some good seeds, email me & I will fix you up with some seeds. I agree with Shannon, try to get the wife involved in the process & you will get your bigger patch. After the second season my wife decided she was going to grow giant watermelons. This has worked out great as she does a lot of the heavy work because I'm a bit disabled. Check out our website at www.gvgo.ca Take care & good luck this season.

Phil

5/10/2006 6:25:35 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

After looking at the picture I'd say that the longest area is the correct WIDTH. But the arrow pointing to the right is the direction you would best send the main vine.

All that aside, you can severely prune & train a plant to produce a 100-200 pounder in the prepared area especially if you're willing to let the secondary vines trail over onto the grass.

By October the Missus might have also caught the fever which will smooth the way for a "Zero Lawn" backyard next year!

5/10/2006 11:55:42 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Picture a triangle that is 24 feet across the bottom (with the plant in the center) & another 18-28 feet tall (with the main vine growing in a "S" up the center). That is a nice "Christmas Tree Patterned" planting area.

5/10/2006 11:57:59 AM

Netherlands

Last year I grew a 454 pounder on less than 20 x 8 feet. Not advisable though.

5/10/2006 1:22:52 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I grew a 386 pounder last season in a pretty shaded space that was about 15' wide by 35' long, so it definately can be done, but it'll need a lot of care, and you're really starting out with a disadvantage. Also, see if you can get some better seeds from someone near where you live - there's lots of growers in Ontario and Quebec, store bought seeds are pretty tough to get a huge pumpkin...

5/10/2006 8:51:36 PM

Eugene,OR

You could try growing one using the "flag pattern" where you prune off all of the secondary growth on one side of the main vine. It is worth a try if that is all of the space you have to grow in.

5/10/2006 11:34:23 PM

Deer Park WA

160 Sqft will get you a nice punkin for Halloween if you prune it like a Bonsia and let it spill over a bit onto the yard/hardscape. Main thing in a tight space is to have a deeply dug free draining planting hole with lots of "light" amenities" like Perlite/Vermiculite/Aged Steer Manure. Sounds like you only have room for one plant so self it with every female that opens up on the main vine, best ones are about 8 to 12 feet out. Have fun and resist the temptation to fertilize and water it every day!

Gerry

5/11/2006 12:31:14 AM

ValleyField Quebec

Wife is warming up to the idea but I have to take it slow! What helped was the email correspondents with Copper, then telling the wife about GVGO and other vegetables she can grow in her garden. I have to cut down a tree, she doesn't like that the previous owners of our house planted. By doing so she gets to expand her garden and I would be able to expand the patch to 14-15x20. that will leave 3/4 of our yard to kids, dog, toys, and our deck deck. Now would that be enough?

5/11/2006 9:12:15 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'd be happy to have 300 sq ft of sunny patch here at home this year! Go for it. You could even start 2-3 plants (one in each of 2-3 corners) provided you have the discipline to yank the lesser performers & give the winner it's due. But that's a tough job for some growers. LOL. (from experience)

5/11/2006 10:49:34 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Hamj

Your seeds went out yesterday, so you should have them the first of the week. I also included some growing instructions. If you have any questions throughout the season, feel free to contact me. I'm always willing to help out other growers. I'll send out the membership seeds as well. That package has all the other varieties, as well as over 15 giant pumpkin seeds. Take care & good luck.

Phil

5/12/2006 7:52:19 AM

Coventry R.I.

hi jeriamh, go for it ,need more room there frank4 the rookie

5/17/2006 7:08:48 AM