From

Location

Message

Date Posted

South Hero, VT

When I started, it was 500 lbs. Then it went to 1000. How big do you have to grow now to be a "good" grower?

6/24/2017 9:00:05 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

It is just a number. You are a good grower, if you enjoy what you are doing, and get one to the scale. How many growers have been doing this for 20 years and don't have one above 1500. Are they not good growers? Environmental and other major factors put huge handicaps on some growers.

6/24/2017 9:13:54 AM

Deal With It

True, but if one of us Oklahoma growers manages to break the state record of 880 lbs. by growing a 1480, very few people will come calling for seeds.

Well, maybe southern growers will want a seed that will fare better in the south, but that's about it.

6/24/2017 10:07:50 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Yup,, it all depends on where you live and the climate you deal with. 1500 as far south as some of us are is a huge accomplishment.

Now if I lived where big city grower ( Garry ) lived,,, I'd be growing 2000 plus every year!:)

Can you tell I have patch envy Garry? Lol

6/24/2017 12:37:03 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Agree with the above. See my outdated link below, but this is an all too common scenario. Many a times the lower Midwest into the south right in the middle of the country is the most brutal to grow in. We don't get the ocean weather relief, it is brutally humid and have the deadliest and costliest tornadoes in the world. What many people in the U.S call a tornado we call a wind storm. A 600 pounder usually wins the Mo weighoff with every few years someone get 1K all the way up to ~1200.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=185105

I have no complaints so far this year, weather has been perfect. My rant also doesn't include Arizona... you could relocate Ron W to Phoenix and he won't grow 1K when it's 120F.

6/24/2017 1:47:08 PM

Rapid City, SD

not sure 1500 is even possible here withput cheating and growing in a green house

6/24/2017 7:14:27 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Kevin Marsh grows some pretty good ones out that way Matt.

6/24/2017 7:26:59 PM

Rapid City, SD

he is 350 miles east of here....like a different county than here....keep in mind the badlands is 20 miles from here

6/24/2017 8:23:16 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Matt Man has a good point, I will always remember this post. Point is every area is unique and to compare a grower level by a achieving a certain weight doesn't make much sense.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=236884

6/24/2017 8:38:58 PM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

Up here on the north shore of Superior we don't grow in greenhouses. I was happy to finally break 1000lb. three years ago. We thought we had a 1500lber two years ago but Dons kin weighed in at 1496. Missed it by that much! Thanks for bringing it up.lol

6/24/2017 8:39:55 PM

Torrance, Ca.

AHHHHHH Matt.

badlands,,,, BAD!

Now put that hail netting up and don't remove it until fall, dangit!

6/24/2017 11:43:21 PM

Central Illinois

location , cash flow, and your health

6/25/2017 3:53:56 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I agree w/current conversation...where you grow, matters more than weight, to decide this ?. Several Incredible AG Growers in Kentucky...and the state record is 1489#'s!!! Incredible grower to produce that kind of weight this far from the "Golden Zone"!!! Peace, Wayne

6/26/2017 12:42:51 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Nice Chris ...... I know of this grower in Wisconsin who says 1625 is the new 1000 but that's Chad gehwieler.... not me lol...... also the places we live all have there limiting factors far north and south have the most limiting factors also the Great Lakes effect people more than we think I know I can tell I am pretty close to Lake Michigan and when I get an east or south east wind brrrrr even a hot day can seem very cool as a grower we have to figure out the limiting factors and try to over come them as best as possible ... hail net sun shade ice under a foam cooler all things to help limit mother natures effect on this great hobby at the end of the day.... if you grow a pumpkin take it to a weigh off no matter how big or small I mean after all I think we all started with a 300 pounder and those were the good old days... so I vote no 1500 is not a mark to say if your a good grower or not I feel it's more about consistency and spreading the word helping rookie growers achieve new personal bests is what I enjoy. Spread the love : )

6/26/2017 10:33:08 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Chris come on over I mean I should be done burying vines soon and we can drink ice cold beer from that foam cooler with frozen water bottles in it as I don't use them in my patch they work so much better holding ice cold beer or soda

6/26/2017 10:35:55 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

What kind of beer are we talking?

6/26/2017 1:01:09 PM

Mn

All Gary drinks is Milwaukee's Best Ice

6/26/2017 2:15:00 PM

some one got cold beer ? il bring the fusarium and a bag of svb.s

6/26/2017 3:26:46 PM

Torrance, Ca.

lol Don and Q!

Garry, great offer and I may have to look into ticket prices!:)

How many miles are you from Q's house? I'd love to mess with that fake camera he has. lol

6/26/2017 4:26:06 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I actually prefer to keep the fridge in the garage stocked up so much easier.. my grow partner owns a bar so you never know what's all In there all colors and flavors

6/26/2017 10:07:25 PM

Grittyville, WA

Your 1114.5 is the best plant in my patch... very nice cross!

7/2/2017 9:02:40 PM