Re: what's the difference?
Paul etal;
Thanks for the excellent response. A few people have offered seeds and I am
(im)patiently awaiting my baby's arrival.
With one letter sent to this group I've gained much information I didn't
already know. Thanks a lot.
As to where I live; I live in a coastal town, Powell River on the west
coast of British Columbia Canada. We lie 80 miles north of Vancouver. I
can't remember what zone this is, but the ground today is 65 degrees and we
still could have a late frost.
I live on 1.5 acre lot within the municipality in an area that has always
had some farms. And there is a grandfather agreement in place allowing us
and many of our neighbours to have livestock. So we have what I call a mini
hobby farm. A few sheep, some laying hens and during the summer months we
raise turkeys and meatbirds. We use all the bedding we can to fertilize our
large garden.
It really doesn't get warm at night here until sometime late June when my
pumpkins would start to put on size. I've found that putting them out too
early stunts them so I try to start later in May. Then later in mid to late
August the nights get real cool and most of the growth has occurred by
then. I've seen some further growth through late August and September but
only when it's been exceptionally warm.
I am trying a new way, for me, to grow my pumpkins. I used to dig a big
hole and put in a couple of wheelbarrows of composted sheep and chicken
bedding. I'd then cover it up with dirt and plant on the top of the hill.
Last fall I saw a website that described putting the compost in areas
surrounding the hill. This way the stems could feed through the roots they
put into the ground.
So this year I've dug a deep hole, put several wheelbarrows of compost in
it and mounded a large hill. I then dug out a circumference of about 10
feet x 1 foot deep surrounding the hill and placed several more
wheelbarrows of compost in this trench. I then covered up the compost with
dirt to give a slightly raised bed for the vines to feed. I then sprinkled
some lime over the whole area. I plan on covering the hill and trenched
area with the bedding from my sheep barn or new straw, I haven't decided
yet.
I've been growing pumpkins for about 8 years now and have always grown from
the seeds sold at a local nursery. My second year gave me a stunning 186lb
pumpkin. I carved it for Halloween and was overwhelmed by the trick or
treaters comments. To top it off there was this 2 or 3 year old little girl
dressed as a fairy and when she saw my pumpkin she ran to it and gave it a
big hug, barely reaching around it. That was it, I was hooked. I've had at
least one pumpkin each year but never achieved more than 132lbs. A
neighbour up the street also grows giants and we've had a friendly rivalry
for the last few years. But he has had similar results so we both assumed
it had more to do with our weather.
I am thrilled to find out that there is an alternative to the seeds I've
been growing these past 8 years. I am looking forward to an excellent
pumpkin year and I may free up some garden space to grow several pumpkins
rather than just one. I've had 4 "stock" seeds germinating the last 4 or 5
days and one has sprouted. I will keep this one going, and in the meantime
a couple of good people have volunteered to send me some other seeds.
Hopefully they will be here early next week. I'm ready for them.
I'll let you know how it's going when I have further news.
Glen
e-mail: lowend@prcn.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "Smithhisler, Paul" <Paul.Smithhisler@dnr.state.oh.us>
To: <pumpkins@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: what's the difference?
> Glen,
>
> The store bought seeds are most likely commercially raised. The seeds we
> discuss on this list are the genetically tracked and crossed seeds that
are
> consistently producing larger and larger fruit. You need to get seeds
from
> the growers on the list to get the better genetics and break the 200 lb.
> barrier.
>
> All I can offer is some of my open pollinated seeds (poor by this list
> standards as it provides no consistency and a lack of paternal lineage),
but
> you are welcome to them. Let me know if you are interested and I can
send
> you some. Many other growers are also willing to share even better seed.
> Most seeds are free if you send the grower a self addressed, stamped
bubble
> pack. It is (marginally) not too late now to get one of these seeds in
the
> ground. If you let us know where you are located, there may be a grower
> nearby who has seeds they can get you immediately, or even an extra plant
> already started.
>
> -Gus Smithhisler
> 4281 Cleveland Avenue
> Columbus, Ohio 43224
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: G. Ogilvie [l*@prcn.org]
> Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003 11:59 AM
> To: pumpkins@hort.net
> Subject: what's the difference?
>
> I'm new to this list and I have some questions.
>
> You all talk about different seeds, but all I've been able to find are
> Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds in a garden shop. I've been buying these for
> about 7 years and have had one pumpkin at 186 pounds while all others
were
> in the 135 pounds size. I have always used composted sheep and chicken
> bedding and lots of water. My question... What is the difference between
> the seeds I am using and all the other varieties you all are using? And
> where do I look for different varities?
>
>
> Glen
> e-mail: lowend@prcn.org
>
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