From

Location

Message

Date Posted

West Manchester, OH

Hey guys, im new to the forums and was just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nate and im from Ohio. I have been growing pumpkins for a couple years with limited results. Usually just 2-4 pumpkins total off of 4 plants. At my old house i had a largest infestation of Vine Borers and Cucumber beatles so im hoping with a new farm out in the country they will stay away. I have about 7 acres and im tilling up 1/2 -1 acre of it for a pumpkin patch. The Patch will be on the highest part of the property with good drainage. Im going for the biggest bang of my buck for seeds. So im growing the Semi Bush Pik-a-Pie pumpkins, Goldrush, Lumina, CF (Cant seem to stay away even with limited Results), Big Autumn and maybe one or 2 plants of Big Max.

I know that its going to be more up keep and now i have to deal with deer on the property. But does anyone have any suggestions to a first time Country grower?

Side note: Powdery and Downy Mildew is terrible around here with the humid conditions in the summer. I always lose plants to it....

2/7/2012 11:33:17 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi Dog, the borers and cuke beetles will most certainly find you no matter where you hide at. Your most important move will be aquiring some Imadacloprid (Merit) and Bifenthrin (Talstar) for bugs. These products have gone generic and are pretty cheap. For mildew, Daconil and Eagle 20EW are my best suggestion for a reletively inexpensive starting point. If you are growing organic well, good luck! There are growers here that can help you in that aspect. Your lineup looks great for smaller type pumpkins but if you wish to grow one larger than 300 lbs you'll need to get some seeds of the Atlantic Giant variety- not from the store but from the generous growers here on this site. My email is eastparkrider(at)yahoo.com if you need help with seeds. Jim

2/7/2012 1:29:01 PM

Ontario

Hi Dog My recomendation for keeping deer,racoons,porkupines,rabits away is an electric fence.You can pick-up a solar powered unit ,if you have no power at the patch.I have and do use one and they work very well.I use 3 strands down low 6" apart and one at the top of the post 3' for deer. Hope this helps and wellcome aboard. Terry

2/7/2012 2:01:36 PM

West Manchester, OH

All of this land has my head spinning with all of the possibilities but i would like to track down some good seeds for large pumpkins.

2/7/2012 2:34:54 PM

Adams County

Dog where you live, im in adams county, got some seeds if yoe want them

2/7/2012 6:22:40 PM

SW Ohio

I'm Sue in Brown County. I'd be glad to help you out with seeds.

2/7/2012 7:12:47 PM

West Manchester, OH

Brookville in Montgomery county

2/8/2012 8:40:50 AM

Martinsburg, Pa

I can help you with the deer problem.. lol .. and free seeds
sniper8@aol.com

2/8/2012 10:23:03 AM

West Manchester, OH

How much space would i have to open up for some Dill Giant plants?

2/9/2012 6:58:58 PM

Minnesota

500-750 ft.

2/9/2012 7:25:26 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dog, a great learning experience awaits you!!! Kentucky Giant Pumpkin Growers Seminar...Richmond, KY 3/3/12 Come and learn, plenty of good/great gentics (seeds) will be available!!!! Peace, Wayne

2/9/2012 10:36:24 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Garlic powder helps repel cucumber beetles, but once the do show up you will need a good contact insecticide. I have lots of deer, being just 200 yards away from a state park. I have a 6 strand, 6 wire electric fence and sometimes they still get in. I am going to convert the top 2 wires to non-electric for less problems with shorting out against posts. Groundhogs and rabbits are also a problem in the country. A .22 magnum and poison smoke bombs work on them. Chicken wire around a good pumpkin is a good idea too. Also,a resident mountain lion in the neighborhood tends to keep the ground hogs and rabbits away.

2/10/2012 8:57:24 AM

Ontario

Here's a tip to move ground-hogs out of your area,if you know where the holes are,and this does work,are you ready?
cat litter, thats is, used cat litter.If you don't own a cat ,I bet you know someone that does!,and I bet they will give you all you want.Just put it straight down the hole.You can thank me later. Terry

2/10/2012 9:46:00 AM

West Manchester, OH

Thanks for all of the replies guys and wayne i work for DNR so i might be able to make it to the seminar.

And i forgot to mention fertilizers, whats everyones favorite? I generally use the sludge and fish emolsion i make from my fish hatchery. I get insane growth results from it in short period of time. But i sometimes deal with stem splitting

2/11/2012 12:48:13 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

You're in prime territory to join the Southern Ohio Giant Pumpkin Growers and attend our March 10 seminar in South Bloomfield. We'll have Tina Saxton of Soilogic and Tom Privitera of Extremepumpkinstore.com there as guest speakers. If you'd like a copy of our winter newsletter, e-mail me at: jgerchy at columbus.rr.com. Be sure to use the ampersand and no spaces.

2/11/2012 1:03:35 PM

Corryton, TN

You can help control SOME of the powdery mildew by planting varieties with resistance. Harris Seeds has a good selection of various size pumpkins and vine types.

2/11/2012 1:54:57 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Joe & pendog...wowzers, this Tom P. guy get's around, eh? He will also be in Richmond, KY on 3/3. Chris Kent (world record melon grower) & Bill Rodonis (1161 & 1566),(both in the top 10 producers, me thinks) are the other featured speakers at the KGPG Growers Seminar (see flag on main page). I do support Joe, in his idea of joining up w/a local growers club!!! Dog, if you do want stuff from ExtremePumpknstore...pre order, and let him know which seminar you will be at & save shipping costs!!!!! Great Savings!!! Peace, Wayne

2/12/2012 12:35:54 AM

Rhode Island

Hi Dog,,
If you want to grow the bigger pumpkins A.G.
Shoot me a e/mail So you can send me a bubble and I will set you up with some seeds. frankbuglio4@verizon.net

2/12/2012 7:53:33 AM

West Manchester, OH

How much does seed genetics = larger pumpkins? Could i take a seed from a 600 pound pumpkin and eventually turn it into a 1000 pound? And what is the best way you guys save seeds each year?

2/13/2012 9:48:41 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Pendog, the progression w/ genetics has taken a while to move from 600#'s to 1800#'s. Usually in small steps over the last (at least) couple of decades!!! Curious ? tho??? I wonder how big a difference their has been from Mother seed to finished weight??? I know there have been a couple SLUNGERS grown from the 275 VanHook!!! So I guess the answer to yer ?, is YES!!!! Peace, Wayne

2/14/2012 2:12:01 AM

West Manchester, OH

i still havent decided what Big variety i am growing yet. With the mild winter i hopefully will be tilling soon. Its down to Big Max, Prizewinner or Dill Giant. Im going to keep them away from the other patch

2/17/2012 6:59:03 PM