From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Canada

I am kind of new to this growing thing. I work with Dean Cook here in Moose Jaw. I finally have a place that has a garden. Dean gave me pumpkin to try growing. I am a rookie at growing anything in a garden. So any help, hints or tricks would be helpful.

7/25/2006 2:05:40 AM

ENGLAND

Gerald. Just to top the list, of the many replies you will get to your above request, i suggest that you make several investments before continuing in this amazing hobby. First off. Join the GVGO (Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario) full details of how to join and the benefits of joining can be found here.....
http://www.gvgo.ca/

Secondly. Invest in the set of 3 Books covering 'How To Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins' and read them cover to cover. These Books are available from several places such as.......
http://www.hollandsgiants.com/
http://www.giantpumpkin.com/
http://www.pumpkinsupply.com/
http://www.pandpseed.com/

Finally. Visit this Website as often as possible and read up on as many of the articles on how to grow Giant Pumpkins/Squash as you can.

Welcome to the world of insanity.

Regards
Mike
GVGO Member

7/25/2006 7:01:47 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi maybe you can help us out by telling us what stage your plant is at? What does it look like right now? What does your garden area look like? I agree with Mike I belong to the GVGO too. Right now let's try and help you maximize your chances for this year. - Jim

7/25/2006 10:08:39 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Thanks for the plug, guys. Jim & Mike are right. Join a club, buy the books & find a mentor to help you out. We, here at the GVGO have a couple members from Sweden already. If you'd like I could ask them if they'd be interested in helping out a fellow countryman. By joining the GVGO you'll receive a great selection of seeds (over 15 packages of seeds) from our fellow GVGO members (store bought seeds won't grow one over 200#), 3 informative newsletters per year, access to the AGGC (genetic website), plus other great benefits. Email me if your interested. Take care & welcome to this crazy hobby of pumpkin growing.

Phil Hunt
Pres. GVGO

7/26/2006 6:31:42 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Sweden????, I guess I was thinking about the other thread from a guy in Sweden. Sorry about that. I see you already have a mentor in Dean. That's great. Now get your soil tested & post the results on this site to get some hints on improving your soil. That's the 1st thing to do. Ask a lot of questions. A lot of knowledgeable people on this site. Take care & good luck.

Phil

7/26/2006 6:36:50 AM

Coventry R.I.

hi gerald, frank4 here the rookie, where has dean been, tell him i was asking for him, tell him to e/mail me

7/26/2006 7:20:16 AM

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Canada

thanks for the help guys I will buy some books, and check out the recommended web sites. This year was kind of "spur" of the moment thing but next will be planned. This fall I am going to mix lots of leaves and manure into the soil, as well as some peat moss. I have found out that the last people to live in my house had a hard time growing anything out there. But I will make saomething grow back there. I am not to sure how to describe what my plant loks like. I do know it is quite a bit smaller than Deans.

7/26/2006 11:17:12 PM

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Canada

Forgot to say I am trying to use some compost tea that I have been brewing but not to sure if is doing anything. I guess if it aint dead then it must be helping right?

7/26/2006 11:18:43 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

If the last people "had a hard time growing anything out there" then that is a sign that you definately need to get a soil test done in the fall. There is likely a deficiency or excess of some elements in the soil. If you do nothing else, keep the vines trained so they don't cross over each other and give the plant plenty of water on a regular basis. As long as you don't add a ton of Nitrogen to the soil, the plant will give you pumpkins when it's ready.

7/27/2006 10:44:21 AM

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Canada

Thanks for the info. I will keep watering lots and I will keep the vines from running ontop of each other.

7/28/2006 1:56:41 AM

Salmon Arm, BC

Hey Gerald! AWESOME! See I told ya you'd love this. Lots of help everywhere...Deb:)

8/1/2006 4:03:41 AM