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Delaware, Ohio

This board is great and we are blessed that so many experienced growers want to help us. What is the best piece of advise you have heard so far to help you next year or has already helped you this year?

8/21/2007 9:41:54 AM

southwest MO

A few posts ago growing in the same spot really encourages me. Become a student of your soil... I love it.

8/21/2007 9:52:30 AM

Georgia

Use a sytematic insecticide next year. My plants managed to hang in there but early August Svbs were taking vine after vine. Also Paps advice on how to correct the shapeshift of a pumpkin saved some good ones I have going.

8/21/2007 11:33:43 AM

Minnesota

Soil, gotta have good soil. And start drinking can beer heavily so you have enough comparision cans for pictures next year.

8/21/2007 11:46:19 AM

Somers, CT

Besides the soil tests and obvious stuff like, "do not step on the main vine" I would suggest reading especially Don Langevin's books. Also ask plenty of questions such as "What questions should I be asking". I used organics this year. Fish, seaweed and Agway organic garden fertilizer. Fish and seaweed in small amounts every other day. It is okay to plant an extra plant but agree to get rid of it before the vines start crossing. The RI patch tour gave me a good idea of how neat the patch should be. Anyone want pics I can either email or send to Ken to post. rtrusch@cox.net. For serious growers, read about compost tea (www.soilsoup.com or others). Keep up with insects and fungi by rotating what you use. Team with others to reduce costs.

8/21/2007 11:46:25 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

CG, not just this year, but since I started....read, read, read, the books, message board, diaries, use the search function on this site, don't stop askin questions, even if it sounds dumb, that's how I learned...don't let a negative response to yer ? get ya down!!! Lot's of incredible folks are regulars on this site....#1 for next year, I guess is from JVH, who says....(in our heat and humidity)...don't bury yer main vine, pin it down, but don't bury it. Bury secondaries only!!! Grow em big CG!!! Peace, Wayne

8/21/2007 1:17:12 PM

Midwest

fogsurfer I agree. excellent results are determined before the season begins. Add leaves, leaves, leaves and compost, compost, compost in the FALL. Till the leaves in but leave the compost on top after scratching the topsoil.
Mycorrhiza fungi on all roots (basal and secondary roots). Calcium (chelated) in August, Sept. K in Sept.
low rates of ferts - feed every day or every other day.
Systemic fungicide that does not inhibit mycorrhiza fungi.
Systemic insecticide - Jason I agree - those SVBs are killers and they don't care if it's July, August or September.
Prune every flower, tendril, etc... that you don't plan to actually use.
best wishes to you.
Greg

8/21/2007 1:33:56 PM

Minnesota

Seed,Soil,Sun & food

8/21/2007 3:06:16 PM

Crossett Arkansas

WIND BARRIERS, I lost a real nice plant this past spring and had damage to my other plants.

8/21/2007 4:16:02 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Best advice was "don't play with it too much" (and no that was not advice from my mom)

Too much time fiddling with your plants can cause more harm than good.....Agreed with Lisa....just let it grow!!

8/21/2007 5:04:43 PM

ordinary,VA

be careful if you GO over there,"that fence has electricity running through it".

and-- never give up-never... when my plant was trashed by severe winds three weeks ago had two good friends (Mark & Kreig)called & texed me in my time of crisis.when i was about to pullout the tiller and plow the patch under they both told me to hang in there and never-never give up on'em.they were right plant still chugging along!

growing giant pumpkins is great making new friends to help you out along the way, even better.

8/21/2007 5:11:14 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Don't do OTT measurements while intoxicated.

8/21/2007 5:50:24 PM

"Get out while you still can!" (but I didn't listen)

8/21/2007 7:26:13 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Dan....that is the truth!

8/21/2007 7:34:31 PM

New Hampshire, USA

don't foliar fertilize in the middle of the day!!!!!!!!!

8/21/2007 11:09:20 PM

Nova Scotia, Canada

Tips that I read on here that I have done.... bury the side vines, foliar spray with neptunes (smelly stuff!), compost is more important than liquid fert, my yellow leaves are normal, but maybe increase fert.
Things I will try next yr.... plant the plants sooner in little houses to get a jump on the season. Molasses, fungicides, a better soil base with lots more organic material (i just started my own compost!), designated walking areas so not to compact the earth, better female flower selection, more nitrogen early on to get bigger, greener plants and maybe I will experiment with a compost tea.

8/22/2007 6:19:39 AM

Delaware, Ohio

Besides the wonderful knowledge from Tremor, the wise words from Pap, the laughs from The Wiz and The Biz, and every little bit of help from everyone else, I've learned about Merit and just how important it is, about cutting the secondaries, fruit placement, and soil testing and prep. All things to think about until next year. Oh and that Giant Pumpkin growing is addictive!
~CG

8/22/2007 10:17:05 AM

Somers, CT

Jeff, I second that but have to add no percoset either. Just burned my hand and doc gave me some. I tied my leg to the deck so I would not go off stumbling through the patch and do something stupid. Reminds me, one more - Count to ten before you do anything, if still in doubt, ask someone before proceeding. You will always have time to get a good answer, they do not grow that fast.

8/22/2007 11:02:21 AM

Colorado

Never grow pumpkins with anyone named "The Wiz":>}

8/22/2007 12:30:25 PM

Ray, North Dakota

Do not eat yellow snow....

Take care of your soil and soil test every year.

8/22/2007 1:45:07 PM

Ohio

Always wear boots when the ship gets real deep.

8/22/2007 4:17:57 PM

Hayward, CA

Expect nothing and enjoy everything else.

8/22/2007 11:31:39 PM

Hayward, CA

Oh yeah, and the most important one "www.bigpumpkins.com"

8/22/2007 11:35:32 PM

President - GPC

Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered......, I'm still trying to figured that one out.....lol

Yo LongBeard, Are you growing this year?

8/23/2007 9:58:57 AM

Colorado

See what I mean?.......LB

8/23/2007 11:29:25 AM

Somers, CT

I think we need a Colorado Grower's Forum. Keep us all in stitches!

8/23/2007 1:34:50 PM

Westford, MA

Is it the altitude??

8/23/2007 3:08:44 PM

Colorado

Rocky Mountain HIGH in Colorado.....:>}

8/23/2007 3:31:52 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Not the altitude, the attitude!!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...If yer growin outside, yer growin inside, right Wiz?

8/23/2007 8:09:13 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

First and foremost no clorox on the leaves to kill powdery mildew, it will kill your leaves in a big hurry. Don't fret, you can't kill an AG pumpkin plant, they are all producing more leaves.

Don't mother them too much, and don't butcher the plant so far that when you make a stupid mistake you have no plant left.

Fish Emulsion is you friend!

Soil test next year, and a hot house of some sort to get the plants in the ground earlier.

Loads of advice from fellow growers I never expected to hear back from, and it is appreciated, believe me!

Vine bores are your worst enemy!

8/24/2007 12:00:35 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Only grow seeds from the grower. The chain of custody is too easily bent.

8/24/2007 1:31:01 AM

President - GPC

Right On Peace Wayne, Were growing BIG, folks here wanna improve their personal best get to that 1000 lb mark and its just not that easy in this locale....Been done once, but we dont give up....

And LongBeard is a man of his word....
"Never grow pumpkins with anyone named "The Wiz":>}".....

And so far he hasnt......He is the only one I know that has "OFFICIAL" tatooed on his fruit.

8/24/2007 8:57:23 AM

President - GPC

I some of the best advice ever.....

The Harder one works, the luckier one seems to get.......Thanks Paps.....your the best!

Heres a new piece of advice we gonna try next year since we are challenged to grow big here in the Hail Capitol of the World.....

"Make em think they are growing in Iowa" Right JoeS! Wait till next year......lol

8/24/2007 9:05:30 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

Some of the best advice I have gotten about Bigpumpkins.com is when someone makes a post you don't like just ignore it. Don't say something smart, or rude back to them. Same for chat, if someone really bothers you just don't respond or talk to them. If you don't have something good to say, jut don't say anything.
Doug
Jn 3:16

8/24/2007 9:12:41 AM

Georgia

"No Occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,no culture comparable to that of a garden...but though an old man,I am but a young gardener." Even though I dont consider my self old this quote relates to being willing to learn from others.

8/24/2007 9:55:51 AM

Minnesota

Have some free advice,,,Jn 3:16
Fill & Surround your Garden in the white light of the Holy Spirit, also ask God's garden Diva's to help you along in your garden....what do you think, do I have what it takes to be a preacher. Thank YOu Richard
P.S. Just ignore, it seems to work the best,,unless you can get away with cold cocking someone, cheap shots, you guessed it, JOKING.

8/24/2007 10:08:19 AM

Colorado

The best advice I could give new growers - right now is
the time to start planning for next year. It is not to
early for a soil test - http://candjfert.com/pages/soilsampling.html
Research this and other sites for information on "building"
healthy soil. - http://www.soils.usda.gov/sqi/concepts/soil_biology/soil_food_web.html
Good soil, Good seed, Good knowledge, Good luck and Hard Work = Success

PS Check out The Biz's diary, The Wiz is looking a little
stressed. This is what happens when The Wiz refuses to listen to good advice......LB

8/24/2007 11:29:01 AM

President - GPC

We were all normal till we went over to Scherbers patch.....check out my dairy

But your right, Patch Prep started weeks ago right after the tour.....

8/24/2007 12:25:24 PM

Rhode Island

'ITS ONLY A PUMPKIN" WE ARE NOT CURING CANCER --- ALTHOUGH I WISH WE COULD
PAP

8/25/2007 8:40:59 PM

Ohio

Fried baloney sandwiches are good for you, and nutritious.


I just made that one up myself.

8/26/2007 7:30:50 PM

Poulsbo, WA

we are not growing salad!

8/29/2007 6:42:44 PM