Re: Advice and Oregon Update

Mark, and anyone else interested,
First, there is no such thing as a dumb question for a begining grower.  I
planted 40 plants in a 50 x 75 foot area because I was too chicken to ask.
Besides, there are probably 20 other new growers out there who don't know
either.  
I am planting my seeds on the 18th of April, and after seven days they will be
ready for transplant to the closhes (mini greenhouses) where they will keep
warm until the weather heats up fully.  Out in Boring you might want to wait a
week to 10 days later due to the differences in our microclimate.  For
example, I can and have started on St Patricks Day and ended up with a plant
which produced over 3000 pounds of pumpkin, but to compete with the big dogs,
that is too early and hard on a plant.  Okay, next, the seed should be planted
with the pointy side down.  I always tilt the seed a little so that the
emerging stem tends to be a little shorter and thicker.  I think it makes for
a stronger plant if it has to work a little from the start.  There is a lot of
other stuff to do to the seed at the start, but the pumpkin archives and book
by Don Langevin go into detail about that.
Next you asked about tilling up your yard.  Well ask yourself this, 'Do I want
to have a competition pumpkin (800+) or nice big pumpkins for the kids (350
-5-600)?  I say till it all up. Balance the soil throughout the site and bury
all the vines you can.  I have heard of one pumpkin grown in the way you
described over 800 pounds, but only one.  Your wife may be pissed, but at
least your not out drinking or worse.  Spend time with your plants and you
will be rewarded.  Advice I have taken to heart this winter and now spring.  
Drop by sometime and see my garden, viewing other growers gardens has helped
me considerably.  Thank you Jack and Sherry, Joel and Mary Lou, Clyde and
Janet, My partner in dirty jokes (Shelly) and others.

Take Care, 
Brett  The Pumpkinguru

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