From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Massachusetts

I’m looking at growing giant pumpkins next year.

What are some good books to help me get started? Also is there anything I need to build before next season for the pumpkin?

10/14/2018 4:05:58 PM

Colorado

Don Langevin has a series of "how to grow world class giant pumpkins"books

10/14/2018 5:33:30 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

There is much to learn Giantpumpkin123. People ask me at weighoffs how do you grow these so big...my answer "how many hours do you have to sit and listen". Spend your winter reading all the old posts on this site and making contacts of growers close to you. The more time you put into it now..will lead to bigger weights in your first year. There is not a 30 second grow big formula yet. If you want to build something...you could build a cold frame. I never can get the ambition to build one when the temps are 32 degrees or colder. I lose 3 weeks every year because I don't like the cold. If you can keep your interest thru the cold winter months...you will be addicted for life.

10/14/2018 7:32:46 PM

Make sure you contact woods. If that is who I think it is , he is a top grower .

10/14/2018 9:02:11 PM

Osseo, MN

I think a mentor and this community will bring you farther than just a book. I read no books this year and went into the season blind as a first year grower and came out with a respectable 476 lb. pumpkin in 175 sq ft area thanks to working with a grower and asking questions here. First things first, you will need a good seed. You will need to commit time, money space and energy into it as well. How much depends on how big and how serious you want to be. There are lots of YouTube videos than can help too.

10/15/2018 11:21:18 PM

Morgantown, WV

Seeds are free, ask around and someone will share to get you started. If no one will, let me know and I'll get you started. Find your local weigh off and join the club. Many of the clubs will offer a "Beginner's Seminar" over the winter as a crash course for anyone trying to start out. It's a good way to get a basic look at everything and start meeting growers close to you. They also normally have seed giveaways for the price of your membership, and then you'll be good to go for the weigh off as well.

The General Chat room here on the main page is also a good place to go for questions that come up. Mornings and evenings are best to catch people, stop in and introduce yourself.

I agree with Sawjaws, the info you want is free and readily available. No need to buy a book, just need to search the net a bit and be involved here. Try going over to Team-Pumpkin.org and look at some of what they have put together as far as timelines for your season. While some get pretty complex compared to this schedule, it is a pretty accurate and straightforward way of explaining the bulk of how the season goes.

Good luck, keep reading, and try to be ready around May 1st!

10/16/2018 7:31:15 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

A local mentor is your best chance for success. Soil test is next

10/16/2018 8:56:03 AM