# Subject: pumpkin status and a question or two

Growing pumpkins for size is a totally different experience. One must get a soil analysis. Doesn't cost much and at least you will know what you got. Grow organic. When you start using chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides etc. you kill off all the good bacteria and fungi in the soil, plus the worms. Here's a couple of books one should have: Backyard Giants by Susan Warren and Teaming with Microbes by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis. If you don't have a rototiller, get one. During the off season rototill the patch once a week. Ok, you will kill off some good fungi and bacteria but you will also upset the life cycles of ants, slugs, and other undesirables. You can always put good microbes back into the soil. Search Google for how to make Compost Tea. Buy the two aforementioned books and read them, and read them again. Will save you a lot of time. 
cheers
Marc

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