Giant Pumpkin Seeds
This blog is about growing that prize winning pumpkin.
I decided I am going to blog about Giant Pumpkins Seeds and how to grow them so you can show off your prize winning pumpkin when fall get here.
Site Preparation/Weed Control
First thing you want to do before planting your giant pumpkin seeds is prepare your site.Each plant wiil require a 25x25x25 ft triangle area or you can sueeze two in a 35x35x35 ft area. I strong recommend a raised bed garden giant pumpkins love well drained soil. You will ned plenty of sun at least 4 hour of direct sunlight.
For those annoying weeds I suggest you go ahead invest put down some Dewitt Miracle Mat before planting your giant pumpkin seeds in the ground. Dewitt miracle mat will controll those weeds before they start bt minimizing light penetration to suppress weed growth.
Soil Preparation
Before you plant your giant pumpkin seeds you want to test your soil. You can use a soil tester kit like luster leaf. If you ph is to high just add some lime from your local garden store. Giant Pumkins also like loamy soil which is a balance betwee sand, silt and clay.You can read more about in books like "The Soil Of Soil" .As I mentioned earlier I highly recommend a raised bed for the best performance.
Pruning
The idea is to have your vines grow in a triangle. Your main vine will grow 25ft. Secondary vines will be pruned at 12ft,9ft,7ft,ect.
Watering/Fertilizing
As your giant pumpkin seeds grow they are going to need at 1in of water or more during hot weather. I highly suggest using water storing crystal they are great.
Fertilizing, during may and june you are going to want to use a 10-30-15 fertilizer to promote root growth. July you are going to want to use a 20-20-20 fertilizer. At the end of growing season you are going to use a 15-10-30 fertilizer. You soil test kit will determine how often you fertilize most experienced growers suggest 1/2 strenght every week mixed with natural products like seaweed and fish oils.
Harvest
A couple of good ways to tell if your pumpkin is ready to harvest. Color is a good indicator, the pumpkin will be orange all the way around. Give them a thump or a slap, if the pumpkin sounds hollow it most likely ready. Skin is hard,use your finger nails to try to puncture the skin if the skin dents without puncturing that means its ready. Stem is hard, when the stem above the pumpkin starts to turn hard the pumpkin id ready to be picked.
Now that you know the basics make sure you buy good seeds. I listed the top seller on the bottom.
