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What's a reasonable goal for the first year out of the chute?
Thanks to the kind folks here, genetics will not be a limiting factor in any way but I know there will be other challenges.
Honestly, eight weeks ago I would have thought a 50 pound pumpkin was pretty big, so now that I'll be growing plants with the capability to produce 1,000+ pound fruit, I'm kind of wondering what to expect/shoot for.
Thanks,
Jim

2/22/2008 6:50:11 PM

Adams County

Jim, last year was my first year. and I grew 4 over 400lbs.I'm not saying thats good, but it sure was fine with me. Just trying to do better this year and with a lotta luck maybe get that 1000 pounder thats been keeping me awake at nights just thinking about it.. gro em big .. Bill

2/22/2008 7:06:11 PM

Shoot for the moon and don't look back,,,anything is possible, it's all about the amount of research and learning you do now, making a plan, and asking questions. Then applying what you learn and work hard (everyday).

Oh,,,,,and a little luck,,,, esp with the weather doesn't hurt ;-)

2/22/2008 7:25:29 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

And why not shoot for the 1000 pound dream. It can't hurt and heck with any luck and some good hard work in your patch, why not! I'm hopin upon hope I'll make it. And Justbill, you did great for a first year. I had a 256 pounder and thought it was great! I had a ball! And the second year, well 275. Live and learn. Learning from my mistakes and not going to repeat, and hope for good weather! Good luck!

2/22/2008 7:29:00 PM

Dan,
I'm going to have so many questions that by the end of the summer you're probably going to invent a new pesticide for me! I've got April 5 circled on my calendar for the CWPG new growers seminar - I can hardly wait.
The seeds that you and others so generously sent my way have definitely got me on the launch pad, so I might as well shoot for the moon.
Bill, four 400 pound pumpkins sounds like a nice first summer. I'd say you're definitely on your way - hopefully I can follow suit.

2/22/2008 7:40:52 PM

you're right DL, why not shoot for it indeed!

2/22/2008 7:43:07 PM

Pinedale, WY

My realalistic goal was 200 lbs. and my desired goal was 500. I hit 212 my first year.

2/22/2008 8:17:09 PM

anytown U.S,A,

Pumpkinstoo Dan didnt get tired of me last year. When I had a question he was there to guide me in the right direction. He is right though with a little help and alot of hard work it will all turn out. Al

2/22/2008 8:40:38 PM

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Don't aim too high, there's no reason to be disappointed your first year out just because you didn't hit a specific goal. Take what your season gives you, learn a lot, enjoy the ride, try to get one to a weigh-off, and meet lots of pumpkin growers. Regardless of your finishing weight, it will be a great start to a hobby that will take over your life.

2/22/2008 8:42:24 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Have fun, make friends & learn!

2/22/2008 11:01:54 PM

Minnesota

2nd year grower, 100 last year, aiming for 500 this year. This site has all the info you need, use the site search box, look at past message posts, read diary's, find a grower close to you and see if you can visit there patch and get a idea of what a pumpkin patch looks like.

2/23/2008 1:19:48 AM

Rhode Island

very good question pumpkintoo

anything is possible once that plant goes into the ground.

expect to make mistakes, expect to wonder what went wrong and above all expect success.

how to?
buddy up with a good grower in your area.

buy broad spectrum fungicides and insecticides for specific problems in your area of the country.

allow two pumpkins per plant-one on the main at least 10 ft out and one on a secondary vine after the main vine fruit
(thats your opps pumpkin just in case).

protect from cucumber beetles as soon as they appear, squash vine boareres starting in june.

above all? dare to dream. thats what this hobby is all about.

the longer you do it, the more you research and improve your skills ?,the better chance you will have for success.
anything is possible under the right conditions.

pap

2/23/2008 6:29:18 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Great advise Pap, my first year with AG's I had two blow up..that was a learning experience. But your right, anything is possible...

2/23/2008 8:47:24 AM

maine USA

To add to Pap's post, don't do what I did my first year and rottotill around the plants. The root systems are huge. I amsure I could have done far better if I didn't make that bone head mistake! KathyT

2/23/2008 11:52:22 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Have fun with this, the tips i would suggest.
dont pay for seeds, send bubbles to growers and they will fill it with wonderful seeds that they had grown.

Hard to get rare proven seeds are great, but i recomend saving any hard to get seed for the second yr.

Water fert and spray

MAnure manure manure

2/23/2008 8:35:58 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

All I can say is, I wished I had read this stuff before last season started. I would have saved myself a ton of heartache. I watched three go soft in August, and one survived, as it was my smallest in the patch. Loved every minute of it. I know better, and I still haven't learned everything and am having more fun this year. Fun is the key and learning goes with every day life anyway. Enjoy and have some fun this Summer! I can't wait for Spring.

2/24/2008 10:35:12 AM

Pataskala,OH

Last year was my first year and I grew a 250 pound pumpkin.

2/24/2008 10:50:24 AM

western PA

Last year was my first year and I grew a 1278 pound pumpkin.

I live near some Heavy Hitters, but I wanted to do it all by myself, so I didnt ask for help.

Now I kinda wish I would have asked for a little help, who knows what it might have gotten to.

2/24/2008 1:14:57 PM

King,nc

Last year was our first year. We had a blast. Ours grew to 565. We didn't find about BP until after the growing season. We have a friend who has grown big pumpkins for quite a while but he doesn't like computers.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Our big mistake was not keeping records. Dates and the like. We're going to do better with it this year.

Good luck!!

2/24/2008 2:49:42 PM

western Kentucky

last year was my first year... i hit 850... aim high you might surprise yourself

2/24/2008 4:42:49 PM

Dresden, Ohio

2007 was my first year, and my biggest probably made it to 5 pounds. Thought I was going to grow 1000 pounder just by putting a seed in the ground and watching. Ha Ha!

I've read a lot and asked some "heavey hitters" a lot of questions. I'm more prepared for 2008 and counting 2007 as practice. LOL! I'm aiming high and shooting for 1000 pounds in 2008.

2/28/2008 1:14:54 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Justin, whatcha gonna grow this year!!! what adjustments ya gonna make? Hope to see ya at BWF, this year!!! Seriously, you are the "kid" from KY!!! and we all wish you the best!!! GROW 'EM BIG!!!!!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...if ya got a favorite you wanta grow, ask, and if I have it...it's yers!!!

2/28/2008 10:16:15 PM