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Easthampton, MA

Today I spent several hours burying vines, checking flowers, moving shade over some wilty areas, and of course, just staring at the plant thinking it would make it grow better. :)

It did occur to me that I have been spending quite a bit of time with my plant and her newly gestating offspring. It's a bit more of a time commitment than I expected (this is year two -- year one was terminated early by vine borers.)

It's certainly a labor of love, and I love new hobbies. But I became curious to hear how many hours a week other growers spend in the patch/pumpkin. I know I'm putting in extra as a newbie -- spent several hours reburying vines that weren't covered properly would be one example. ;)

I figure I must be out there at least 10 hrs a week. Is there a relationship between experience, weight and hours -- such that as the first two increase, the latter decreases?

Or is it more likely that all three continue to increase, since hobbyists tend to dive in deeper every year?

I thought it might be fun to hear how others time investments vary. :)

7/20/2015 11:15:47 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I try to limit the time to 20 hours a week.

This is why I only grow 2 plants.

7/21/2015 12:16:29 AM

San Diego

I have to do all my watering by hand because I could not afford drip lines this year which I really regret for several reasons. This takes along time... but I have the time because there is no school.

I spend about three hours in the morning, maybe an hours worth of walking around and checking things throughout the day, and about an hour in the evening. One plant.Too much? HAHA. I am a beginner too.

7/21/2015 12:27:49 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

I refuse to admit how many hours I spend in the patch.... But I have 7(now, started with 9). Likely going to be down 5 soon. Anyway: a pant load of hours.

7/21/2015 4:48:38 AM

Central NY

Bout a half hour a week...

7/21/2015 6:51:13 AM

Minnesota

Depends on how much my wife is complaining about being at the garden. :)

7/21/2015 8:37:11 AM

Easthampton, MA

Somebody - Hand watering keeps you young! :) I was lugging out water every day last year myself. I ran a hose out there this year (long,long hose) and then it has rained every three days this year. :) But I'm glad I did since I have fert problems -- too much N, and not enough roots -- which have been giving me wilting problems on growing ends of vines. At least I can mist the plant a couple of times a day now, and move the shade canopy.

I think I might be out there a little bit longer each day, but I had a hard time admitting it. Thanks for sharing!

7/21/2015 9:46:05 AM

I haul water to my pumpkin and all the other veggies in the garden from a forest preserve since we are in a community garden without a water source. Just my second year. My sons are growing giant pumpkins and a watermelon. I am spending a lot of time trying to manage the vines, watering, cleaning out spent blossoms, keep the fruit cool and preventing her from rolling onto her own vine. It is a lot of work. Biggest issue in my patch is all the neighboring gardeners with weeds above my chest and the diseases I see on their plants that will eventually result in air borne spores! Some have already given up and others simply don't care how the diseases or weeds impact the plants. It is sad and I look forward to my own yard one day!!

7/21/2015 10:56:09 AM

Easthampton, MA

Biddy - That is a generous community garden plot. :) To prevent weed seeds from blowing in, you could ring the plot in wind screen. I see many growers do this in any case. Of course, it decreases air movement so if disease is the concern it maybe should be avoided.

Weed it at the edges and forget the areas you can't reach. The leaves are quite broad and will shade them pretty well. Unless they become a nightmare, I suspect it can be tolerated fairly well. Of course, they are using some of the hard earned hand trucked water... :)

7/22/2015 12:20:14 AM

Lloydminster/AB

3 pumpkins 2 or 3 field pumpkins and a watermelon = about 30-35 hours a week.if everything goes right. Things start going wrong and there isnt enought time ever.

7/22/2015 1:12:54 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

When I had 8 plants I would spend about 8 hours a week. Normally I tend to all plants in one afternoon. I only go in to do work when work is needed. I'm currently down to 2 plants with 1 kin so now I'll be out there way less.. Not a lot of lettuce to grow anymore

7/22/2015 9:14:31 AM

Central Minnesota

I would be shocked if I added it up I am sure, especially this time of year. But, keep in mind I have 7 AG's, 1 Squash, 7 Field Pumpkin, 4 Melon 12 Tomato and 2 LG plants still going. I have lost or pulled, 1 Squash, 4 pumpkin/Squash crosses and two Field Pumpkin Plants. So on the conservative side I will say 42 hours a week right now. That will be down to next to nothing in the next couple weeks when the vines are all terminated.

7/22/2015 10:08:37 AM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Wayyyyyy toooooo much.... its addicting. That's why if you are lucky enough to sell some don't be afraid to ask for top dollar. The amount of hours and money spent trying to get one big pumpkin is crazy.

7/22/2015 12:14:22 PM

East Jordan, MI

we grow 4 AGs and spend about 32 hours a week on them, (3 hours a night plus 16 or so hours on the weekend), and there are two of us.

7/22/2015 9:12:12 PM

Easthampton, MA

Wow. Thanks everyone for sharing. It's great to hear the stories and the variety! :)

7/23/2015 10:43:49 AM