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Rio Linda

Okay. I didn't intend to plant a giant pumpkin but one of my friends seeds just happened to decide to sprout in my blueberry bed on its own. How in the world it got there is a mystery to me! I am afraid of just how big this might get because I have only 3 feet or so between raised beds and the gate is only 4 foot wide. My friend has talked me into letting it go and see. The seed came from a 70 pounder but has genetics for huge. Geeze! I guess we are at the "let 'er rip" stage. Right now the biggest one is twice golfball stage. I swear it doubled in size since yesterday. I am open to suggestions on how to get a monster out of my garden whole if it does get big. It really likes this bed. The other volunteer in another bed is quite runty. Is it the acidity of the soil it likes? I put shake and grow in the bed in April and this past winter I put alpaca & horse poo in it in addition to the sulphur additive.

6/19/2011 3:25:29 PM

South Hero, VT

Don Young uses a tree crane to hoist his out of the patch.

6/19/2011 10:21:22 PM

Rio Linda

Thanks. I didn't think of a tree crane.

6/19/2011 10:47:04 PM

South Hero, VT

Here's a link to a shot of Don in action. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=121600

6/20/2011 7:30:34 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Depending on the size, you can just manuever it onto a tarp and get about 5-8 guys to help you move it. Unless, I go over 800lbs, which is a far shot for me, that's what I will do this year.

6/20/2011 8:51:20 AM

Newfoundland,pa

how about if i place a pallet down with sand on it, then grow the pumpkin on that? or is that not feesible to do.that was an idea for me this year

6/20/2011 9:50:29 PM

South Hero, VT

Randycat has done the pallet trip. His email link is in his diary. Contact him for details on how he grows pumpkins on pallets.

6/20/2011 10:03:21 PM

Newfoundland,pa

Thanks,I'll do that.

6/20/2011 10:22:04 PM

Rhode Island

best to grow it first , then worry about how to get it out of the area?

6/22/2011 4:17:09 AM

Rio Linda

You're right. No sense in worrying about it until the time comes. It is just the darn things are growing in size so fast I want to be sure to have a 'battle' plan!

6/22/2011 4:32:10 PM

Buffalo, New York

i agree with pap......my new truck wont fit in the backyard like my old one could.

worry about it "if" and "when" it happens and needed.

6/24/2011 6:31:28 PM

Lancashire, UK

I have to agree with Pap also. See how your season goes first. If you manage to grow a big one then it will be a nice problem to solve! :)

Each year I have to call the local farmer to bring his telehandler round to lift the pumpkin up and over the flat roof garage. The past 2 years it hasn't managed to fit through the 4.5ft wide gate.

6/25/2011 5:29:39 PM