This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Stuck In a Rut/Something Missing

Stuck In a Rut/Something Missing

Not a great, (better than last), year for me, but I may be on to something.

Problems I deal with in growing Atlantic Giants:

1. I have a garden to work with not a farm.  Have been growing in this garden
for 24 years, Giant Pumpkins since 1978.  When you grow the same crop in the
same place year after year it takes something from the soil.   Unfortunately
it is "NOT" listed in a soil test.  You can have a text book test results and
still have mediocre crops.  I believe it is some nutrient that we do not know
about.  This year I have some nice Atlantic Giants but no giants!  The good
news is my whole garden has done better.  My Butternut has produced the
largest crop in the 23 years and I have been growing it in the same spot.
 All of the garden has shown the following results, plants have peaked in a
normal time frame and held that vigor throughout the growing season!
 Tomatoes have been a good example and this was with no additional fertilizer
other than the original soil preparation.  The only thing in common is a
special unusual soil preparation I did this year for the first time.  If I
increase this additive it may help me get out of the rut I’m in.  In the
early 90’s I went to compost feeding which I still do, it made a big
difference but still didn’t replace all the missing nutrients, I feel.  I
will continue to use compost feeding along with this new additive.  Hopefully
I have stumbled onto something, I keep very detailed records of my gardening
which should help in this research.  This Fall I plan to add this additive
and again and in the Spring in combination with a variation of the same
additive.  By August of next year I should know whether it is making a
difference.  At that time I will release all the test results.  I want to
wait until then because it is unproved, but promising, and I want to benefit
from my research for the first year, but I don’t mind sharing after that.
 
2. I live in a hollow and when the dewpoint is low and the night is clear I
get very cold.  A pumpkin just doesn’t grow well when it is 45 degrees, at
least by my records.  This year while everyone else in New England is saying
how good it was I had 5 nights in July in the 40’s!!  Two of them were as low
as 45!  That interrupts the prime growth streak that influences the final
weight, (I feel.)  To help get around this problem I Direct Start early to
take advantage of my warmest month, (usually), July.  By the way, in the time
I’ve lived here I had frost as late as June 10th and as early as august 20th.
 
3. Only have room for two or three plants which reduces your chances of
picking the right seed.

I thought I would share my growing troubles with you so you could compare my
results if you have some of the same problems.

Good luck to everyone at the Weigh Off’s

George
N. Tewksbury, MA USA
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index