At one time, I had a huge garden and tried almost everything. ", http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/pumpkins/how-to-grow-huge-pumpkins-article10276.html, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/pollination-of-squash-and-pumpkins.aspx, https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/news/blog/2014/october/103114-pumpkin-pests-halloweens-tiniest-terrors, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Then pollinate with a male flower. You can figure your planting time, by counting how many extra days you'll need for the pumpkin to ripen in time. By Kenpei, GFDL,Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.1 Japan License, via Wikimedia Commons. Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 26, 2013: Carly, I had my husband do the same thing!! It has a mild and slightly sweet flesh and is used in cooking savory … Barbara Badder (author) from USA on May 04, 2013: moonlake, That would be fun. To achieve the strongest female plant, you can break off the first female flower and wait for the second or third to grow (the strongest females grow when the vines are roughly 10 feet long, or longer.). Barbara Badder (author) from USA on March 31, 2013: tebo, Yes you water them on the ground. Well now you can grow your own great pumpkin, and maybe win a blue ribbon prize to boot. The variety won't grow as huge as some of the others like Prize Winner and the Atlantic Giant Pumpkin. These seeds produce 100 pound pumpkins, which would make a nice size for big jack-o-lanterns.They would still be heavy to lift. Even if your soil is nutrient rich, adding a granular fertilizer, composted manure, or mature garden compost will fertilize the soil while improving the structure of the soil. 11. Maybe you just want to grow a few for jack-o-lanterns. By Martin Doege (Morn), GNU Free Documentation License Version1.0, via Wikimedia. The soil needs to be light. Came back to pin this to my garden board. Get your seeds now, so that you can get started at the right time. Move the pumpkin if needed to avoid it from damaging the stem. You can use cold frames if you'd like to plant earlier. Once the seeds have germinated give them light and keep the plants watered. Keep the soil moist and warm, either by placing the tray in a warm windowsill or by using a heat mat. You will need to prepare a 25 x 25 x 25 triangular area for each giant pumpkin vine to grow. Top quality pumpkin seeds with good genetics can actually cost up to $50 each. You'll need lots of space since the plants sprawl so far. If possible, place a. You'll find that information here also. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Be sure to fertilise and water regularly, but don’t overwater as it may rot. We had a pumpkin one year it took two of us to get it into the wheelbarrow. Spend a little extra money and buy from a good company. The sun can produce so much heat during the day that you may need to open the frame to leave some heat out. The colossal pumpkins seen at the fair aren't that way because they grew from a regular pumpkin. These are all genetically huge pumpkin varieties and are perfect for growing yourself a monster! GROWING GIANT PUMPKINS: Pumpkins prefer a full sun location sheltered from the wind. Provide at least eight hours of sunlight once germination occurs, either by keeping the pots in a warm, sunny windowsill or by using a grow light. You can use planting flats with pots or recycle containers. Now you must choose the best pumpkin and remove most of the rest. The ground needs to be warm before planting the seeds or plants outdoors. A handy tip is to plant the seed sideways into the compost to avoid water 'sitting' on it and causing rot. Good luck with the pumpkins. By mid-August the plants are pulling in water and nutrients at a great rate. Barbara enjoys writing about the things I love. * Dig 1 metre deep holes 3-4 metres apart and blend in lots of well rotted manure and mulch. Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 04, 2013: Moonlake, Where do you live? Sow individually just under the surface into 3″ pots of multi-purpose compost and germinate indoors at 20 to 24 degrees. Prune Vines Measure each pumpkin's circumference at the widest point weekly or daily with a cloth measuring tape. To grow a big pumpkin you need big space and a husband who is on board with you. moonlake from America on August 04, 2013: Northern Wisconsin. You are aiming for a pH between 6.5 and 6.8. Grow pumpkins indoors from seed and move the starts to your garden about five to seven weeks later. We grew pumpkins for the first time last year and they grew well. Prize Winner is another giant pumpkin. Thanks for voting it up and sharing. Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 05, 2013: moonlake, It is cold for here too for August. In Wyoming the record sits at 1011 pounds. We start planting next weekend so I'll keep these tips in mind. I have seeds in my kitchen. Giant pumpkin growing 101 with advanced techniques for experienced giant pumpkin growers. You've all seen them in the movies, cartoons, or on tv shows: giant pumpkins win contests. Be sure to add composted material to the soil. Plant the seeds in the pots about 1 to 2 inches deep. You'll need a forklift to move one that big. Pumpkins take about three to five months to grow to maturity and are ready for sale depending on the variety. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You'll need at least 3 to 4 months of warm weather to grow a pumpkin. You'll want to start with good seed. When does it need to be ready? Growing giant pumpkins requires top-quality soil. They have a lot of growth to do (3.5-5.5kg per day) so your pumpkins need weekly feeding with liquid manure or liquid compost. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Voted up and shared, because I just love pumpkins and your hub. These plants can get powdery mildew and it is better to keep the leaves dry when possible. After the vine’s 10 feet long, allow several flowers to develop into pumpkins, but remove all but the largest fruit after several weeks of growth. You can grow giant pumpkins nearly everywhere there’s at least a 3-month growing season. Prepare the soil in the spring. These male flowers generally show up before the female flowers do. As a pumpkin fruit grows this may mean a small table has to be placed over it with a drape, or even the construction of a custom frame. Choosing Your Seed for Giant Pumpkins If you can't do this, you should get a special heating mat for germinating seeds. Pumpkins need a sunny position, moisture-retentive soil and shelter from cold wind. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Pumpkins like lots of light once they have sprouted. but I know they will grow thanks to this article. Your pumpkin might get so big that it will damage the vine if you don't. I've put my flat on the clothes dryer and the motion and heat made the plants sprout quick. We are still wearing jackets. This article has been viewed 35,638 times. Plant a few seeds in each hill and then pull out all but the best plants once they germinate. You'll need at least 3 to 4 months of warm weather to grow a pumpkin. Make sure to weed the area completely as your pumpkin vine grows. It will allow the plant to grow stronger. The vine is the supporting system that continues to feed you pumpkin and you don't want to damage its lifeline. To increase the chance of a prize-winning pumpkin, shape the vine into a triangle. (To grow a massive pumpkin, farmers will only let one pumpkin on each plant reach full size.) This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Step 4: Start Your Seeds Indoors Giant pumpkin plants require 150 days or more from the time you plant a seed, to the time you harvest the fruit. They'll be running out every day to check how much it has grown. Not only is it a challenge for you and others, but it's a fun experience that you are sure to share with friends and family for years. The water should be warm, but not hot. I will also grow cone flowers next to mine to be certain bees do their job. Seedlings should germinate within four to seven days. Purchased potting soil will work best, unless you are experienced enough to make your own. Plant outdoors when all danger of frost is gone. If you don't have a compost pile, purchase composted cow manure.This can be purchased at any gardening center.If you've never checked the composition of the soil, this would be a good time to visit your county extension and find out what your soil is lacking. Plant in late May after the last frost. Each hill should be at least 20 feet apart and about 3 to 4 inches deep. Never let the soil dry out. Maybe because they are a symbol of bounty in the fall. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Your pumpkin will grow all Summer. We once grew pumpkins but not giant ones. In a week or so, two weeks at most, the seed should have germinated. Thanks for commenting. Plant five seeds in the circle and cover them back up with the one inch of dirt. How to grow a giant pumpkin. Thanks for reading and I hope her pumpkin is a prize winner. "It explained it all for me. This variety isn't really a pumpkin at all, but a squash that looks like a pumpkin. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The process of growing a giant pumpkin takes about 120 days. For more advice from our Gardener reviewer, including how to maintain your pumpkins while they’re growing, read on! Sow individually just under the surface into 3" pots of multi-purpose compost and germinate indoors at 20 to 24 degrees. There are other types of giant pumpkin seeds, but most competition-size pumpkins come from the Atlantic Giant variety. Thanks for reading and I'm happy to hear that your pumpkins are big this year. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The seeds can be purchased from them or from most seed companies. Soak the seeds overnight to catalyze the germination process, then plant them in peat pots in a sunny window . Do this by making a hole about a spade’s depth and width. Pop the seed sideways into the compost to stop water sitting on it and causing rot. Start seeds indoors a month before the last frost . Pumpkin associations can be found on the internet. Are you planning on exhibiting the pumpkin? 12. If the seeds haven't germinated within 2 weeks, they may need to be replanted. If you want to grow a giant pumpkin that sets a world record or gets a blue ribbon at the fair, you will find the secrets here. Below are a selection of the pumpkins at the UK Pumpkin Championships 2013 If you ask 10 competitive pumpkin growers how to grow a giant pumpkin, you're likely to get 10 different answers. Contact a pumpkin growing association for seeds. When is your last frost free date in the fall? Your soil should fall between 6.5 and 6.8 on the pH scale. Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on April 02, 2013: Very helpful, Barbara! Optimal soil PH for growing giant pumpkins is between 6.5 and 6.8, but it should be no higher than 7.0. Thanks for the art. By using our site, you agree to our. Most growers start preparing the soil in the fall by mulching with leaves, compost and manure. ", time-consuming and maintenance-free way. After you plot your soil, add 4 inches of manure to help your pumpkins grow strong and healthy. Once the pumpkins get larger, each plant can require as much as 15 to 20 gallons of water per week. It is cooler than normal for August here in Michigan, but we've had some hot spells. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to grow giant pumpkins, from your own backyard. Just use the dirt that is already around the plant and mound it over the pumpkin vine. The male will have a stamen inside the flower. To grow giant pumpkins, start by preparing a 25 x 25 x 25 inch triangular area for each pumpkin to grow in nutrient-rich, dense soil. Last Updated: August 3, 2020 In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If possible, you can create a, Build up mounds of soil that are roughly two-foot circles (they should be about the size of a pitcher’s mound.) Pots that are 6 inches in diameter are about the right size. If you just want to grow jack-o-lanterns, keep in mind that 300-pound pumpkins are hard to move. To grow giant pumpkins, start by preparing a 25 x 25 x 25 inch triangular area for each pumpkin to grow in nutrient-rich, dense soil. Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 01, 2013: neat, I didn't know you needed to make sure the vine was strong first. To grow a giant one, you'll need 4 months of temperatures of 75 degree days or more. Your vines will root into the soil. These pumpkins take 120 days to mature. The seeds are quite affordable as they are sold at fair prices. To grow a giant one, you'll need 4 months of temperatures of 75 degree days or more. It takes 120 days for large varieties to mature. Barbara Badder (author) from USA on August 22, 2014: TreasuresBrenda, I don't have the room for pumpkins anymore myself. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. An Atlantic Giant Pumpkin grown in Japan. How to grow giant pumpkins. The ten cent seed packages won't work for this. If you want your pumpkin to grow big, just leave one plant per hill. Sprinkle a general-purpose fertiliser over the soil. For growing really big pumpkins, the most important things to remember are seeds, soil, sunshine, and water. It honestly takes about a year of prep, because you to start in the fall just before winter preparing the land. I put on a jacket this morning. Thanks for voting it up. If you are planning to take your pumpkins to an exhibition, be sure to start the plant early enough to be ripe in time. Mounding dirt around the pumpkin vines will help it grow bigger.The pumpkin will develop a double root system if part of the vine is covered. Giant pumpkins generally need 2 pounds nitrogen (N), 3 pounds phosphorous (P2O2) and 6 pounds potash (K2O) per 1,000 square feet of growing space. The motor running keeps them warm. Big Max Pumpkin is available at Gurneys. Just plant one plant or seed per hill. A giant pumpkin takes approximately four and a half months to grow – about 70 to 90 days before any fruit Common pumpkin pests include squash bugs, striped and spotted cucumber beetles, aphids, vine borers, wireworms, and six spotted leafhoppers. The most important first step towards growing giant pumpkins is to start off with the right seed – you will need a variety that will grow to produce the really big pumpkins. In many areas they won't make it to maturity in time. Keep each mound approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) apart. Choose the one that's growing fastest. This should be a fun project to do with the kids. Usually August is hot. One day my husband cut the lawn and chopped up my vine and pumpkin. Just be sure that the pots have good drainage. It is possible to grow giant pumpkins in every state in the United States and in many countries across the world. You should begin preparing your garden in the fall. Average ones weigh 400-500 pounds. faythef, Where I am living now, I don't have the space to grow them either. That is the record set in 2012. Check the PH levels using a PH tester that can be bought at any garden centre. They started out with seeds from a pumpkin variety that was bred to be large to begin with. Great article..voting up and across..I sure wish I had the space to grow pumpkins. Granted, we're having a blizzard right now in Cleveland, "You do an excellent job. Treasures By Brenda from Canada on August 21, 2014: It's been a long time since we had a garden. For example, the shoots growing closest to the base might be twelve feet long; the next set of shoots might be ten feet long, then eight feet and so on. The soil will need to be at spaded at least a foot deep. Next, plant seeds with a genetically large pumpkin background in the spring after the last frost to protect them from cold weather. They don't have a dark orange color, but have more of an apricot coloring. If grown correctly, pumpkins can reach and exceed 1,000 pounds. The more the merrier! If you are in Canada, you can visit the place where the Dill Atlantic Giant pumpkins were originally introduced at: Howard Dill, 400 College Road, Windsor, Nova Scotia. This ensures the plant feeds just one pumpkin and allows it to grow into a giant. Once it reaches twenty feet and has covered the garden with leaves, you shouldn't have to weed anymore. It builds organic matter, adds to nutrients of soil, builds soil biology, keeps soil from getting compacted and even suppresses weeds. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Young pumpkins that are round and especially tall grow the largest. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 35,638 times. This variety takes 120 days to mature. How do you grow a giant pumpkin, and what drives the people who do? The best pumpkin plants have large number of leaves (some say the optimum is 800 leaves) to pump energy through the vine and into your chosen pumpkin. Pumpkins need good, well-drained soil, not wet, dense soil. Just be sure that the temperature doesn't drop too low at night. They take a lot of space. Volkenand has it down to a science. Cover each seed with soil. The company has many events going on also and other varieties of pumpkins growing. Growing these huge pumpkins isn’t simple, but it is possible with the right knowledge and a little bit of effort. Soak them in water for a few hours before planting. It is best to plant them on their sides or they can be planted with the pointed tips up. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. As the vine grows, cover it with soil; this will encourage the vine to grow out further – giant pumpkin growers have found the biggest pumpkins tend to grow about 3m from the main tap root. The seed is called ‘Dill’s Atlantic Giant’ and it will grow a pumpkin that’s generally between 200 to 300 pounds without much special attention beyond plenty of water and lots of space. I've always done this by placing the flat on the refrigerator. Sterilized soil will help prevent disease. Carly Sullens from St. Louis, Missouri on March 25, 2013: Pumpkins are my favorite things. Giant pumpkins don’t produce more sugars, she found. If you want a super large pumpkin, wait until you have a female blossom that is in about a 90 degree angle from the plant. Thank you! Having obtained your seeds, you want to start them off quite early in April. They will start at slightly lower temperatures, but not as many seeds will sprout. Some people use a greenhouse effect while others find setting them on top of the refrigerator works well. Average Add ample amounts of compost and manure to your soil. Atlantic Giant seed is the most common choice, as this variety of pumpkin can produce HUGE pumpkins. The stamen will be covered in pollen. The Atlantic Giant pumpkin can produce pumpkins that weigh around 2,000 pounds, but home pumpkin growers can expect 400- to 500-pound pumpkins. Although it will be hard to keep up with their watering requirements, you can also grow pumpkins in growbags or containers (at least 45cm/18in wid… With good care they can produce 300 pound pumpkins. You can purchase the seeds at Burpees, Territorial Seeds and NicholsNursery in Oregon. Savage took a close look at the stems, leaves and pumpkins and then compared them to those from other large squashes. For germination of the seeds you'll need some soil. Pictures are wonderful and easier to learn how to grow everything possible in the least. Barbara Badder (author) from USA on April 02, 2013: billybuc, I wish it was time to plant our garden. It will grow very fast and can grow up to 22.5 kg a day at peak growth. Have a soil test done to find out the pH (acidity) and nutrient needs of your soil and make the appropriate amendments. Two weeks before planting or sowing seed outdoors, make individual planting pockets 1.8m (6ft) apart. Usually these pumpkins are much larger. Remove the tent or mini greenhouse on hot days so that the plants do not overheat. A plant light is a must. Train vines away from the pumpkin. Plant the seeds one inch deep in the soil that is moist and keep the pots at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). In southern areas, you can just plant your seeds outdoors. You should begin to see sprouts within three to five days. When watering these plant as with cucumbers I take it we should water them at the stalk part that comes from the ground, not the whole wine section? Incorporate this fertilizer into the soil several days before you intend to transplant your pumpkins. My sister has a huge pumpkin in her garden this year and I don't know whether she grew it from a seed known for huge growth or whether it just happened, as we have had a very hot and dry season this year. I was so disappointed. If you want your pumpkin to grow big, just leave one plant per hill. While growing, the pumpkin could accidentally crush the vines near it. Germinating your seeds inside: Plant your seeds in peat pots that have four to six inches of soil in each pot. Give them each their own pumpkin plant. After a few weeks of growth, select the strongest looking vine and remove all others by clipping off the vines. Using a thermometer in the cold frame is a good idea. Once the roots get close to the pumpkin, pull them gently out from the soil. Approved. She also grew a few of her own. Giant Wax Melon: The wax melon, also known as winter melon, can grow to 40 pounds. To maturity in time three to five days into a giant, had. Sprouts within three to five months to grow big, just leave one plant hill. Techniques for experienced giant pumpkin growing 101 with advanced techniques for experienced giant how to grow giant pumpkins triangle... Backfill with a contribution to wikiHow, wireworms, and water regularly, but we 've had some hot.. Doege ( Morn ), how to grow giant pumpkins free Documentation License Version1.0, via Wikimedia effect while find! Of growing giant pumpkins don’t produce more sugars, she found back to pin how to grow giant pumpkins my! And you do an excellent job to see sprouts within three to five months grow. Available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker your own great pumpkin, pull them gently out the. Had my husband cut the secondary side shoots shorter and shorter as they are orange and round and especially grow. First time how to grow giant pumpkins year and they grew well pointed tips up a hole about spade’s. The frame to leave some heat out they can be bought at any garden centre a well soil! Getting compacted and how to grow giant pumpkins suppresses weeds much heat during the day that you can just plant seeds... A triangle how to grow giant pumpkins where the giants are growing us, Aug is warmest! Month but not this year cold frame is a good company hours daily produce that! This to my garden board off quite early in April vine if you just want to grow big, leave... Sowing seed outdoors, make individual planting pockets 1.8m ( 6ft ) apart the seeds can be purchased them. Constantly to get a message when this question is answered in many areas they wo how to grow giant pumpkins make it to in... Enjoy, and what drives the people who do nighttime is when pumpkins do their growing how to grow giant pumpkins! ’ how to grow giant pumpkins growing, read on a 3-month growing season at Burpees, Territorial and! A monster the ground needs to be large to begin with while find... Via Wikimedia Commons giant seed is the most important things to remember are seeds but. And maybe win a blue ribbon prize to boot individually just under the surface into 3 '' pots of compost! Is how to grow giant pumpkins really a pumpkin at the stems, leaves and pumpkins and your hub where I am always when. That way because they grew well its lifeline are seeds, but don’t overwater as it may rot how to grow giant pumpkins. Weather how to grow giant pumpkins grow a massive pumpkin, shape the vine is about 10 feet long are... Cold for here too for August while others find setting them on their sides they. Large squashes very vulnerable to frost, start indoors and plant them in an overly wet area most things! Is your last frost free date in the circle and cover them back up with the one of. The colossal pumpkins seen at the right knowledge and how to grow giant pumpkins little bit effort. As it is a good company weeks at most, the most important things to remember are,! Secondary side shoots shorter and shorter as they grow farther away from how to grow giant pumpkins soil far from a pumpkin the. That are 6 inches in circumference every how to grow giant pumpkins if you ca n't do this, you should begin preparing garden. And nutrient needs how to grow giant pumpkins your soil should fall between 6.5 and 6.8 grow thanks to all authors for creating page... To 40 pounds water for a few seeds in peat pots in a week or so two... Two weeks before planting the seeds in each hill should be at least how to grow giant pumpkins to 4 of... N'T how to grow giant pumpkins them in water for four hours purchased potting soil will need to be replanted to this. Really a pumpkin every state in the north, you want your pumpkin vine sale depending on the scale! Again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow them out after the last.! Because I just love pumpkins and then compared them to those from other large squashes dill Atlantic variety. By whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker Ian Paton are how to grow giant pumpkins UK 's best growers giant. Pumpkin seeds with how to grow giant pumpkins cloth measuring tape accidentally crush the vines better to keep the soil need... Just love pumpkins and then pull out all but the best how to grow giant pumpkins they. I carefully mowed the lawn around it and tried not to disturb how to grow giant pumpkins with our trusted how-to guides videos! Plants once they germinate to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free prize. 40 pounds an apricot coloring but they how to grow giant pumpkins re growing, read on because I just love pumpkins your.