Re: help this junior farmer
Teri, I will offer you the best of seed free for a prepaid envelope! If you
can find the space make 1 garden the same size for just the pumpkin. You
will need to dig down deep first,(2' minimum)(4'+ if possible) then fill it
back up with every type of good compost you can get your hands on with about
20% peat moss 20% removed soil!!!! This will at least give you a fighting
chance! YES, the vines will surely grow on your lawn and training is good!!
(allow as much room as you can)With luck, you will have a wonderful
experience with your son that will last a lifetime! You never know, he may
become the next world champion pumpkin grower in a few years and a
productive farmer to boot. I can think of a lot worse things to become!!
Please feel free to take me up on the offer of free seeds! It is important
to have good genetics to start. You MUST!!! have good seed. I will provide
the genetic family tree with the seed, but without going into detail it is
the best with all roots coming from Howard Dill select stock! There is no
place else to go with confidence(almost)(you may also get some other good
offers)
It strikes me that you and your son have a rare opportunity to form the
strongest of lifetime bonds over this project, I hope you provide the help
he needs and become an addict of giant pumpkins yourself.. You could expend
your efforts in no better way!!!!!!!!!
10 RULES APPLY
1. Lots of enthusiasm
3. Lots of love and attention
4. Lots of research this winter(see) (bigpumpkins.com) (it will keep you
and him busy)
5. Lots of good fertilizer (per help of other growers) TRUST THE WEB
HELP!!!
6. Show the boy some good pictures from a weigh off to get him
excited!!!!!
7. Don't miss the available bond with your boy!!!!!!!! It's a lot of
work............
8. DIG DEEP!!!!
9. Lots of room (if you have it)
10. HAVE FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Follow these rules and you will have a blast!!! (make 2 gardens that size
if you can) (It might help with disappointments!!!)
JOHN
FREE SEEDS FROM
JOHN SPAHR
PO BOX 258
WASHINGTON, MAINE 04574
HOPE THIS HELPS!!! CALL ANYTIME 207-845-2270 (maine)
GARDEN OPEN FOR VISIT ANYTIME!!!!! My first year 388# picture attached
----- Original Message -----
From: "Therese Dillon" <terid@optonline.net>
To: <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 1:59 PM
Subject: help this junior farmer
> Dear Pumpkin-Growing Folks,
>
> I am hoping to get some seeds and general help with growing an Atlantic
> Giant. I live in a suburban community and have some raised beds where I
> grow vegetables in the sunniest part of my backyard. My son is 6-1/2
> years old and has been very enthusiastic about gardening. He is all
> revved up about starting a giant pumpkin, and i want to encourage him.
>
> Here's a bit of our gardening history: we have done green beans,
> tomatoes, various squashes, and lots of herbs. We now make our own
> compost with yard and kitchen waste, and we do have access to free horse
> manure (although it is mixed with shavings from the stalls which may or
> may not be a good thing). This was the first year we built the raised
> beds and they have made all the difference in the world. Our tomatoes
> were red and ripe when everyone else's rotted or never ripened because
> of all the rain this year. Our normal soil is heavy clay here on the
> southern CT shoreline. Hence our decision to make the raised beds and
> to start composting like mad.
>
> Well, we would like to designate one of the beds for a pumpkin in the
> spring. This is not competitive but just for fun. The bed is 4' X 8'
> and about 18" high. We are already adding organic material to replenish
> it as we used this site to grow beans all summer. Every time my son
> eats an apple, he runs out to put the core on the pile "for our
> pumpkin".
>
> In a couple of weeks we will visit the Eastern State Exposition & Fair,
> and among the wonders we will view are the giant vegetables. This is
> one of our favorite exhibits. Perhaps some of you will be showing a
> giant there? We would love to chat with some of the growers about their
> fertilization methods etc.
>
> I have learned a lot from the various pumpkin websites and that's how I
> know we have to prepare the bed now so it will be ready in the spring.
> If anyone can offer any advice or seeds or both, it would be greatly
> appreciated! If you contact me I will give you my address.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> Teri
> (a stay-at-home Mom whose kid likes to garden)
>
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