[WitchyKitty]

I was asked to start up this year's thread...so here it is!
I can't wait to see what everyone grows, this year!
I usually grow my minis and assorted gourds. I saved some seeds from some of my gourds from last year and I'm hoping I will get some interesting hybrids from them if they were cross pollinated! We will see!!
I think I will be trying some Sugar Pie pumpkins, this year, too...hopefully, I have room for them.
I'm hoping for the best of luck for everyone this growing season!!! 🎃

 

[WitchyKitty]

I always like to share this particular site, each year, as it has soooo much detailed information about pumpkin growing.
At the very least, check out the "pollination" and "fertilizer/nutrient" sections of their page:

Growing Pumpkins Big And Small. How To Grow Pumpkin Plants.

As always, I'm no pro, but always here if anyone has questions. I try to help as best I can! There are others who are great at answering questions, too, who have been growing even longer than me...they are always willing to help, too! We all do our best to help each other out with tips, tricks and things we've learned along the way!

Also, if you are fairly new, or just starting out, you can look up and check out any of the previous year's pumpkin growers threads for more pics and info!

 

[Col. Fryght]

New thread, feels like Spring is around the corner. As mentioned in the old thread, I bought myself a Honda tiller for Christmas. So, I feel obligated to give it the ol' college try again this year. I plan on breaking new ground on a smaller patch, to give my main patches another year off.

I might test the one patch that I solarized last year for soil disease to see how much improvement there was in that patch. But, inflation is killing me this year. I feel like I had more money during the COVID years. The soil disease test last year was like $125, if it has gone up then I might just keep that money in my pocket for garden supplies.

 

[Can't Wait]

Hi everyone....I'm excited to see this up an running. I don't post much, but I had my best year last year growing two renegades, and even got a surprise pumpkin from a seed that was mixed in from my compost. I'm looking forward to all your inspiration and wisdom again this year!

 

[UnOrthodOx]

IF I grow this year, I've settled in on CRONUS variety. 25-60 lb should provide the bigger size to sprinkle in with the basketball 12-20 lb I usually buy for the party, and those STEMS!

 

[WitchyKitty]

IF I grow this year, I've settled in on CRONUS variety. 25-60 lb should provide the bigger size to sprinkle in with the basketball 12-20 lb I usually buy for the party, and those STEMS!

Ooh, Cronus looks lovely! I like that shape a lot!
I hope your "If" becomes a "For sure"!

 

[Kdestra]

Yay 2023!
@WitchyKitty

Thank you so much for starting the new pumpkin growers thread.
I've been dying to tell you all about something I learned in Pennsylvania last weekend...
There are several Pumpkin Auctions held in Pennsylvania for the east coast. Local farmers & Amish bring in their pumpkins from the fields. It's a massive operation & I found it all incredibly fascinating. There are several videos on YouTube to watch.

 

[Kdestra]

Hi everyone....I'm excited to see this up an running. I don't post much, but I had my best year last year growing two renegades, and even got a surprise pumpkin from a seed that was mixed in from my compost. I'm looking forward to all your inspiration and wisdom again this year!

View attachment 774843

Congratulations on a great growing year in 2022!
Keep rocking those pumpkins in 2023 😍

 

[WitchyKitty]

Yay 2023!
@WitchyKitty

Thank you so much for starting the new pumpkin growers thread.
I've been dying to tell you all about something I learned in Pennsylvania last weekend...
There are several Pumpkin Auctions held in Pennsylvania for the east coast. Local farmers & Amish bring in their pumpkins from the fields. It's a massive operation & I found it all incredibly fascinating. There are several videos on YouTube to watch. View attachment 774844

Oh, a pumpkin auction?? I'd probably get over excited, accidentally bid on too much, and go bankrupt, lol.
Heck, it'd just be fun to be there and see all the varieties!

 

[Kdestra]

Oh, a pumpkin auction?? I'd probably get over excited, accidentally bid on too much, and go bankrupt, lol.
Heck, it'd just be fun to be there and see all the varieties!

Absolutely agree, it would be fun to see all the varieties. I might try to visit one this year. Idk if you have to pay but you probably have to be a Licensed Vendor
Link below

 

[MCR]

I'm stoked to see this thread started (even if I might not have my stuff together to join this year)!

For anybody thinking about growing giant pumpkins, I'd recommend Chad New's youtube channel [he will send you giant pumpkin seeds if you send him a padded mailer and a nice note]

Would also recommend Howard Dill's (yeah, that Howard Dill) website if you just want to buy some. Dill's Atlantic Giant® Pumpkin -Premium Seeds 2008

Some other giant pumpkin growers I enjoy following (not everybody posts every year, but their video archives have loads of useful info):

https://www.youtube.com/@docrodebaugh

https://www.youtube.com/@growinggiantswithscott4130

https://www.youtube.com/@NortheastGiantPumpkin

https://www.youtube.com/@jeffsgiantgrowingjournal6003

https://www.youtube.com/@travisspumpkins7682

https://www.youtube.com/@josiahbrandt150

https://www.youtube.com/@MobyMikePumpkins

 

[WitchyKitty]

Great info, already, guys! It's good to have lots of links and tips on the first pages so those just starting out or in need of help can find it, easily!
MCR, I hope you end up being able to grow, this year...even if it's just a smaller vine or two!!

 

[morganmac]

Hooray, new thread! I am torn, because I had plans to expand my garden and try some minis AND maybe another variety, but there is a non-zero chance we may be moving in the late summer, and I don't want to put the work in if I'm just going to have to pick up and leave it all behind. So I think I'm going to stick to growing things that mature quickly so I can harvest and go...which is definitely NOT pumpkins. But I will be here cheering everyone on, regardless!

 

[crashbig]

We just bought 3.5 acres, but there is no garden area set up, being right next to saguaro national park we have our fair share of critters that would love to destroy a new garden that's not fenced in. I have until the beginning of July when I usually plant for October to get off my butt and get something done.

 

[Col. Fryght]

We just bought 3.5 acres, but there is no garden area set up, being right next to saguaro national park we have our fair share of critters that would love to destroy a new garden that's not fenced in. I have until the beginning of July when I usually plant for October to get off my butt and get something done.

I live next to a national park myself and have seen most everything in my backyard: deer, turkey, racoons, possums, squirrels, owls, snakes, turtles, and even a peacock. But oddly enough, I only have to protect my plants from the squash vine borer moth. I have found that putting up a silt fence keeps most animals at bay for some reason, plus keeping it nicely mowed around the perimeter.

The deer can jump over it, but don't. The turkeys can fly over it, but don't. Well you get the picture....lol.

 

[crashbig]

I live next to a national park myself and have seen most everything in my backyard: deer, turkey, racoons, possums, squirrels, owls, snakes, turtles, and even a peacock. But oddly enough, I only have to protect my plants from the squash vine borer moth. I have found that putting up a silt fence keeps most animals at bay for some reason, plus keeping it nicely mowed around the perimeter.

The deer can jump over it, but don't. The turkeys can fly over it, but don't. Well you get the picture....lol.

We've got javalina to contend with, and squash is one of their favorites. I left a few jack o lanterns on the side of our property just to see what would show up, had 10-12 show up on our camera and just go to town on the pumpkins.

 

[Kdestra]

We just bought 3.5 acres, but there is no garden area set up, being right next to saguaro national park we have our fair share of critters that would love to destroy a new garden that's not fenced in. I have until the beginning of July when I usually plant for October to get off my butt and get something done.

Omg!!! That must be insanely beautiful. Can you see the cactus or do you have cactus growing on your property??? The Saguaro Bats are my favorite & I love the Gila Woodpeckers!!! If you get a chance I'd love to see pictures of your new property. Congratulations!!!

 

[Kdestra]

We've got javalina to contend with, and squash is one of their favorites. I left a few jack o lanterns on the side of our property just to see what would show up, had 10-12 show up on our camera and just go to town on the pumpkins.

Javalina!!! Holy sh!t they can seriously hurt you.

 

[crashbig]

Omg!!! That must be insanely beautiful. Can you see the cactus or do you have cactus growing on your property??? The Saguaro Bats are my favorite & I love the Gila Woodpeckers!!! If you get a chance I'd love to see pictures of your new property. Congratulations!!!

Property is covered in different types of cactus, the bats will start flying in a month or so once it warms up a bit for them, their so cool to watch at dusk.

 

[crashbig]

Javalina!!! Holy sh!t they can seriously hurt you.

They can, their eye sight is really bad, but they usually hear you before you see them and take off running, if I'm walking around the property at dusk I try to make a bit of noise to warn off anything hiding in the brush.