From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Savage, MN

Hey all, next spring is going to be my first year growing giants. I would like to know your favorite tip for beginners and why. I really appreciate it. (:

9/25/2018 5:30:03 PM

west central IN/East central IL

Give enough space, get soil test, research, talk to other growers close by, start out with 2-3 plants (it's a lot of work), keep weeds down for air flow, check the main vine daily from ground to stem and most importantly, have fun.

9/25/2018 5:46:24 PM

Georgia

Read every thing you can and then re-read it. This forum is on the expert side. The pumpkinnook.com does a good job of breaking down the basics. On this forum, I would read the last 10 pages of the beginners forum and the soil prep forum. Most of the questions that you have, have been asked several times before.

If you don't find your answer ask again. Do not be afraid to ask, especially if you have spent at least a half hour searching for the right answer. Join the Minnesota growers group: https://www.stcroixgrowers.org/ Heck, even I am a member and I live in Georgia. Their website and member information is among the best offered by any group. Join the group and get some free seeds to boot.

Best of luck to you.

9/25/2018 6:07:31 PM

Walhalla, ND.

Before my first year growing I spent the winter learning off of this sight. Start with basics first like megakin said to start, your soil comes first. There’s time now to work with your soil. Everything you need to know is on this site somewhere. Exactly like the Col. said. If you can find a mentor all the better.

9/25/2018 6:22:56 PM

Central NY

Great advice...other than that ...Use an actual feeding program ...and pesticide program...try to go into it with as few unanswered questions as you can...it is a crapload of work which if I’m being honest, I’m sick of it..it sucks..but boy oh boy when one of these babies takes off, whether that’s 10lbs a day or 50lbs a day, it’s just something to see...8th wonder of the world type stuff...welcome to club...and as the saying goes, ...”Just wait til next year”....good luck

9/25/2018 6:30:23 PM

Colorado

Go through a lot of diaries-their pictures will help. Get a soil test. make friends with a local grower. Join a club or three.Get some of the how to grow books/don langevin. Buy a 2145 mcmullen seed.Have fun-lots of work but nothing grows like a giant pumpkin.

9/25/2018 6:43:29 PM

Brandon,WI.

I m a 4th year grower,grew my first 1000 lbr last year, grew a 1540 lbr this year, I can say I learned a lot from Don Langveins book How To Grow Atlantic Giant pumpkins. This pumpkin forum also gave me a ton of tips, advice, etc. but if you can pick the brain of a great grower, neighbor(the Beard,Mobymike) you can also gain plenty of tips and/or advice,ask questions, attend club meetings and just absorb as much info as you can digest most growers are willing to help you out in this addicting hobby, good luck.

9/25/2018 7:07:54 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

there are 3 weighoffs in the area coming up in the next few weeks. Come and visit. It would be easier to talk to the growers at Gale Woods or Anoka. Stillwater has so many spectators that it is hard for the growers to determine who really is interested in growing next year. My biggest tip...be willing to spend the time to learn as much as you can. There are many years of knowledge stored on this site. There are many club websites that have beneficial information. I did not have a mentor..this site was my teacher.

9/25/2018 7:17:02 PM

Austin MN

I'm no prob but the biggest tip I ever got was that you get out what you put in. Seems like the more work I put into it the bigger my fruit are!

9/25/2018 7:52:56 PM

Austin MN

Pro*

9/25/2018 7:53:09 PM

Central NY

I got that tip to tanner...I didn’t understand it as I was already working my tail off...I wish that someone had also told me to use cal-mag and a bloom booster...

9/25/2018 8:33:41 PM

Mn

Not sure where you’re at with your research but this is what I started with...
http://www.quantumpetshop.com/tutorials/pumpkin-detailed.asp

9/25/2018 8:36:36 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Become a member of a club network with other growers in your area the Wisconsin club holds annual meetings set up for the more rookie growers ... I know networking has worked the best for me I chat with several growers regularly and text several often ... even though I am not growing this year I still keep in contact when I am around ... network network network...

9/25/2018 8:57:02 PM

Lexington, Ky

Ears open, mouth closed. You’ll learn nothing when your mouth is open.

9/25/2018 10:29:28 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

What everyone else said. Good advice.

9/26/2018 12:00:58 AM

Bethlehem CT

All very wise advice and also very true. I think what cojoe said was interesting about the diaries. There is actually very little information that is written in the diaries, but some info. can be gleaned through the pictures. Pork chop I got a kick out of your honesty, I agree I would be surprised to find an experienced grower who didn't find themselves "sick of it" at some point. Yesterday I was on my way to Durham I was loading up in the pouring rain, I went to load my 175 est. watermelon into the van.. As it's going in I push it by the stem and my hand sinks right into it. SO I am thinking OK my number two 165 est will have to be my entry.... It had a soft spot too. This story is not an unfamiliar one to any grower who has more than a couple of seasons under their belt.

9/26/2018 8:03:11 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Best thing that you can do is start now so you're on the right track! Some but very very few are lucky and hit it out of the park the first year out....the beard comes to mind! But most of us regular folks have a very tough time the first few years. Start now, dream big and be prepared to fail.

Oh and I hope you're a little crazy because everybody who has "normal" hobbies will think your nuts!

9/26/2018 9:16:34 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Reed, you have come to the right place to get all the best information. If all goes to plan I will be moving to savage in the spring and would be glad to asset you where I can. I have the three basic pumpkin growing books that I'll send to you to read over the winter if interested. Also check out the video on billsbigpumpkins.com. Send me a email

9/26/2018 9:50:01 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Reed I have a couple of Bill's books they are great!

You would be extremely lucky to have a great grower like Bill to help you out!

9/26/2018 10:00:31 AM

Central NY

Jump on that offer!!!...

9/26/2018 10:12:24 AM

New Berlin,NY

Ok here is my advice.

1 Set a goal for your first year. 500, 1000, 1500, what ever you want. After your research, you will have a decent idea of the effort required. As stated, it is a lot of work. I plan out 5 years and adjust ever year depending on success or failure.

2. If you do a long term plan, and you don't have unlimited time and money, plan your big investments and infrastructure implementations over time. Drip irrigation, water storage/warming reservoirs, big greenhouse are things that i have in my long term plan. For me, trying to get everything in place in one year is not feasible. Here is hoping that 2022 will be my best year.

3. Next year starts now. Soil Prep, what do i need to buy/make, (feeding, pest, disease plans), watering plan, weeding plan, seed line to be determined in the winter. Trying to do everything in the spring can be overwhelming. A lot of things can be addressed in the "off season" to make the spring easier.

4. The pumpkin community is a very sharing and open community. Read as much as you can, talk to as many growers in your area as you can for advice on your area. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel.

5. You will have failures. Pumpkins split, weather wreaks havoc, Disease and critters do not follow your plans. It can be heart wrenching, but is a part of the game.

6. As stated above, Soil Sample.

7. Moby mike gave a great presentation in Niagra falls in 2017. Try to get your hands on it.

9/26/2018 11:30:56 AM

Grittyville, WA

Try to get as early a start as possible.
Soil cables and extra backup plants. Focus on your goal and dont be afraid to ask questions. Really know what you want to know... The most specific questions will get the best answers... As you may know. I should probably take wexlers advice now since I am a novice who talks too much... But advice from one novice to another there are lots of good genetics and alternatives there is not one road to success although the 2145 may have another great year overall its not the only path to success nor is it a sure path to success... It is the best we know of at the moment but it can throw duds also... Cojoe's pb was off the reverse... The 800 McMullen. Everyone wants to give you good advice without confusing you. Only a few bad apples like myself that you gotta watch out for :)

9/26/2018 12:12:11 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Quick tip that nobody mentioned yet. Figure out your harvest date. Keeping in mind your normal first frost date or a particular weigh-off date you are shooting for. Count back 100 days for fruit growth. That is the date you will try to get your pollinations done. Then count back 60 days from your pollination date. That is when you will want to start your seeds. Good luck and prepare to spent a lot of time in the patch.

9/26/2018 12:34:07 PM

Midway, UT

Good tips in this post: Watch this video: https://youtu.be/mzc54fJrqVQ

9/26/2018 12:44:16 PM

Germany

Read this tutorial, it is great!!!

http://how2growags.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_20.html

9/26/2018 2:11:51 PM

NE Arkansas

Good tip Jay, a lot of guys don't know when to start for a specific weigh off and can get caught trying to hold a fruit too long or pulling one still growing

9/26/2018 2:51:46 PM