I don't care about growing huge pumkins, in fact, I feel the more the merrier so...
I've done a little research but i guess i'd like to here some success stories about others growing pumpkins before i put my time and effort in...
i know pumpkins need lots of sunlight, rich soil, water and time but what else?
Also I want to sow seeds outside and am concerned about animals eating the seedlings. Advice is much appreciated!
I worked a commercial farm before. And grew my own for many years. Takes too much room for me to anymore.
I wouldn't worry too much about the animals unless you already have issues with animals eating your plants.
There's squash beetles to worry about, but there are sprays.
Mold, mildew, temperatures.
Anyhow. Make sure you have enough room. Pumpkin vines are aweful big. And, if you want to avoid flat spots, you might want to turn your pumpkins now and then as they grow.
Keep weeds away as much as possible, they can choke out the seedlings, but once that vine starts growing, watch out. They do like to take everything over.
I do i grew JOL ones last year but i had svb(squash vine borers) that ruined it for me and this year im growing 300 pounders. The advice i can give you is invest in some harvest guard (like a screen) to keep the insects off your vines trust me those things are EVIL!!! and will ruin all your hard work real fast they bore through the vines nasty little things! They need lots of water but make sure you dont over water either and if you do the harvest guard you will have to hand pollinate b/c the bees cant get in which is no big deal i hand pollinate all my pumkins so i know they take. Oh and only water the base on the vine NOT the leaves Good luck!
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Thanks for the "feed" back on growing pumpkins everyone! I think I'll give this a try as I love a good challange and i'll enjoy the process. Might have questions as I'm growing along...so please stay posted...
If you have an actual farming supply store, (not the local hardware store) I'ld suggest checking in there and asking questions. They'll be most helpfull and likely have some better insecticide than you can get elsewhere.
Sevin dust is your friend. Just make damn sure to take the proper precautions. (had a small scratch on a hand one time, some got in, couldn't feel my arm for a few days)
I dont know if you know this or not but for starting seeds here is what i do and its 100% effective and speedier so far. Get a damp paper towel only use paper towel b/c the root will grow through and you can tear paper towel easier then a washcloth or towel. Wrap the seeds in the towel place on the plate then place another plate on top on that plate so it looks like a flying saucer. Place in a warm area and let the seeds sit for 24 hours then take each seed between your thumb and pointer finger hold the seed by its sides ::not the flat part but the edge part:: and give a little squeeze just a little bit and the seed will pop open a little bit at the end then place back in and let sit for a few days and bingo. I have some going right now only been a few days and they are ready to go in some dirt I will get a picture if interested and post here.
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I think I'll try that. I'm off to Phoenix for the weekend so I'll get growing with your idea when I return. Now that I know you're growing too, we can share as we go along if you like. Thanks for the picture too! Now, I did read online about "filiing" the edges of the seeds to ensure the seedlings emerge unscathed but I like your way better of warming, moistening, letting grow and then squeezing. Excellent. Much appreciated!
grow own pumkins?
Good luck!
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