Pumpkin growing and carving challenge 2016

Pumpkin Challenge.2016​

A fun challenge (and GC's sixth), no prizes, no classes no restrictions just grow it yourself!

The best seed variety for this challenge is called "Dill's Atlantic Giant" and can be bought relatively cheaply from most seed suppliers.

This is a for fun challenge in two parts, the heaviest/biggest pumpkin and also for creative carving of your pumpkin. The really massive pumpkins can take up a fair ammount of space but it's vines can be trained, cut back or removed to suit your growing space. A couple of years ago I grew one to 119lb in a space 15 foot by around 6 foot, so not too bad really.

2015 was a dire year for growing many things, including pumpkins, but 2014 saw the World, European, UK, and Gardeners corner records smashed, with a good growing year all of them could easily be broken again this year.

Weights can be determined as it grows by using the "Over the top" measurement described here and it adds to the interest if you post photo's too as it's growing, suggest weekly....

Some great pumpkin growing info can be found here.

And I have produced a growing guide of my own that contains some of the tips I have picked up over the years here

When harvested, you can weigh or estimate its weight using the method above at the Pumpkin Nook and I suggest we do that the week before Haloween, then if you like we could all carve them and post photo's whereupon GC members could vote for their favourite.

ALL members are welcome to take part and any member can take part in the carving challenge part with either their own grown Pumpkin or a shop bought one.

With the right seeds you can grow a pumpkin between 30-100lb in very little space, with not much care and attention and it will look fabulous carved on your doorstep at Halloween or be a great talking point on your plot or in your garden.

Steve...

 

Yaaay I have my atlantic giant seeds already to go! Can't wait. Will be my first attempt at growing pumpkins - I thought last year I'd planted pumpkins, but seeds got muddled heyho. Bring it on

 

I'm in too for another try..

Canny, as it's your first time growing them, feel free to post what your going to do, before you do it if that makes sense. Some of our more experienced growers may help you avoid some pitfalls. The same goes for any new growers out there.

Good luck all.

Steve...

 

I'll be growing a few Pumpkin plants, one for a biggun, the others for eating as we love Pumpkin Curry (and with pasta, plus in soup) and we find Atlantic Giant Pumpkins better for eating than the 'Jack O Lantern' types sold for Halloween, also has much more tender flesh.

 

Thank you @Steve R it makes perfect sense I'm keeping a patch at the allotment specially for the pumpkin plants. I had measured it but can't remember what size it is now . A good starter would be to know what is the best way to prepare the soil for them? Its covered at the mo to stop any weeds etc

 

Dig over and add well rotted manure if you can, rake level/flat. For the planting hole, dig out a couple of wheelbarrows of soil and add the same amount of manure to the hole, soil back on top and mix the two up, your left with a small mound, plant into that.

I plant two plants a foot apart, after week or two when they are obviously growing well, the weaker of the two gets cut down to the soil (don't dig up, disturbs roots of other plant).

Steve...

 

Thanks for that @Steve R can I just ask when do you normally plant your seeds? Do you put them straight in the ground, or pot them & then transfer?

 

April/May depending on conditions, I'm part way through writing a separate growing guide. It should be posted some time today or tomorrow.

Steve...

 

Brilliant I look forward to it!

 

I've written a guide on how to grow Giant pumpkins and this can be found here on GC http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/giant-pumpkin-growing-guide.108977/

I am no expert on the subject but I have picked up some useful growing tips over the last few years, mostly about managing plant growth itself, but it is worth a look if your new to the hobby and describes in some detail every stage, also shown with the aid of diagrams and photo's.

I would welcome other growers add to it and having their say too.

Steve...

 

Anyone here in contact with @Richard360 ? Maybe you have a plot on his allotment site. Is he growing and joining in this year again?

Steve...

(EDIT) I should have said, I know someone here is on the same site as him..lol..(EDIT)

 

Yes he's going to be growing a pumpkin this year!!! I'm his plot neighbour. I'm also joining in the challenge this year. Show him how it's done

 

Hey Steve yes I'm in
Sorry not been on for a bit been busy

 

Just received a ton of seeds through the post, these are just the pumpkin's..



I now have to sort through the rest of them..

Steve...