Introduction and questions

Hi there.  I just signed up for this list and I must say I like it already.
 I hope I can somehow contribute productively, although I'm new to
pumpkin-growing.

I'm in central PA, in the mountains north of Harrisburg (zone 7 I believe).
 I have 4 Atlantic Giant vines going.  They got a late start; I learned my
first lesson when I started them indoors a month early.  They took forever
to get going in the garden.

The soil here is sandy, red shale-based loam, very well drained.  The vines
get about 5-6 hours of direct sun a day.  They are growing across my lawn.
The best one has a pumpkin about ten feet out which has been gaining 2-1/2"
to 3" a day in circumference (it's nearly spherical and very beautiful, to
me!).  It's now 39" in girth (maybe a few more over the top) and sunshine
yellow.  The vine had  a few other fruits but I culled them off.  My dog
obligingly (but unwittingly) pruned the vine at about 20'. I hope to put
some pictures on my web page soon.
My questions:

1.	Will my pumpkin attain any decent size at this rate, or is it too late
in the summer?  Everyone else is talking about giants already, it seems,
while mine would barely make a good jack-o-lantern so far.

2.	Should I shade it from the hot sun to avoid dehydration?  Wind isn't
really a problem since we live in a clearing in the thick woods.

3. It's been a little dry this month.  I've been giving them a good soaking
every other day.  Would every day be too much?

4. Any thoughts on Miracle Grow?  My best vine is growing near where we
toss the biodegradable garbage.

Thanks for any help.

Mike Pierich

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