Re: Greetings to all on the list- please make an ignorant Texan feel welcome

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I would suggest Dill's " Howden" or " Tall Man" variety.  I have grown them in the past and they are very easy to grow and are a perfect size and shape for Jack O' Lanterns.
Check out Howard Dill's web site at:  howarddill.com

To determine planting time, count back about 120 days from the time you want to harvest.

Prepare patch by tilling in Cow or Horse Manure, Leaves, Straw Hay or plant a "Cover Crop of " Winter Rye" and till under in Spring. Get a soil test and adjust accordingly.

Plant a few rows of Corn for wind protection.

Amount of water will be determined by weather conditions.

For large fields, I believe rows will do. ( have to ask a commercial grower on that one ).

To keep kids involved in the patch, let them etch their names or some faces on the pumpkins while they are young. As the pumpkins mature, they will scar over and the name or face will stay on the pumpkin. ( be careful they don't break the vines by stepping on them).

Unused pumpkins can be composted or used as animal feed. If they are composted, pumpkins will most likely sprout the next spring.
 

I would also recommend the book:

" The Perfect Pumpkin" by Gail Damerow ( about Twelve bucks ).

Welcome,

Bob Troy
Torrance, Ca.
 
 
 
 
 

Pete Foster wrote:

 Hello: I have never heard of a seed list or auction.  In fact, I don't know if pumpkins even grow well in Dallas, Texas.  Everyone here tells me I'm crazy to turn my 1.5 acres into a pumpkin patch, but that's what I intend on doing. I know you all probably see a bunch of dumb questions from beginners, but I need help.  There is an elementary school next door, and I want to get the kids involved in this pumpkin patch.  I also want them to learn the right way to grow pumpkins and not the way I think they should be grown.  Here are some of my general questions. If you don't have time to read this or are annoyed by beginners, please delete this message now- otherwise, prepare yourself.... 1)  What is the best Jack o' lantern pumpkin variety?2)  What is the best variety for my region (North Texas)?3)  How much room do you need to grow pumpkins?4)  How many pumpkins can you grow per square yard?5)  When is the best time to plant pumpkins?6)  What preparations should I make now, while preparing the patch?7)  What type of physical protection do pumpkins require?8)  How much water do pumpkins require?9)  How far apart should you plant pumpkins10)  Should pumpkins be planted in mounded rows or in flat ground?11)  Are there any fun ways to keep kids interested in the patch?12)  How much should we charge for each pumpkin when time to sell?13)  Can un-sold pumpkins be used by food shelters or should they be dumped/composted? Any help is sincerely appreciated!  If this e-mail is inappropriate for this list, please e-mail me privately and do not make my mistake a "public flogging".  I will promise to sell every seed that I place on any list that I post! :)- Seriously though, I would love to hear comments from the experts here. Best regards to all, Pete FosterFlower Mound, Texas ***you can always tell a Texan........you just can't tell him much!