From

Location

Message

Date Posted

West Chazy,N.Y.

I am a fairly new grower (4 years) now, and I have done a lot of reading and found sooooo much info. that it's so overwhelming. I'm getting frushtraded as to what I should put into the soil. And yes I have had a soil sample done and added what is recommended,but there must be hundreds of additives to put into the soil. There must be a certain formula that the heavy Hitters use to grow the record pumpkins. I just don't know what to add next. And I don't have anyone near me to ask, or go see. I'm not looking for a new record here. Just trying to get a 1k pumpkin to show off at work.Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks
Randy

2/9/2008 3:58:10 PM

Coventry R.I.

Hi Randy,, I suggest get Ron,s dvd,, he helped out alot of grower,s.

2/9/2008 6:01:10 PM

Williamsburg,KY

How do you find Ron's DVD???

2/9/2008 6:09:17 PM

Connecticut

a lot of growers add compost in the fall along with leaves and till it in.come spring more manure is added again.on your soil test check the organic matter #.i use to just use miracle gro-no more.i use the fish,seaweed ,kelp and mychorriaze fungi.go to fungi.com and you will learn alot.foliar feeding is a big thing which i never did before.organic is the way to go today.i guess the main thing is having your soil just right for pumpkin growing.dunkels i heard has some good stuff too.he has a website.hope this helps.

2/9/2008 9:04:03 PM

Somers, CT

Randy, besides what will balance your soil (and use these people to interpret the tests) Kelp Meal is a good additive. Mychorriaze is something I will try this year. Use granular and add it so it gets to the roots. Can use it with seed starting and in the hole as you transplant, and along the main vine as you bury it. look at www.seedoutlet.com. I am going to try compost tea this year with a homegrown concoction. read the thread there too as well as Maine Pkin org site.

2/9/2008 9:17:09 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Remember also that the recommended admendments found on your soil test results are for general gardening. The AG,s take different amounts. I thought by the results of my soil test that I was good to go except for pH and after talking to Craig Lembke found out I was WAY low on a lot of things needed for the big pumpkins. There are quite few guys on here (I'm not one of them) who have the knowledge to help you with your basic soil amendments. I think the main thing is get your soil basics down and DON;T get to carried away to quick with the other stuff.

2/9/2008 11:41:55 PM

Coventry R.I.

croley,,, e/mail Steve C. pumpconn@msn.com He will help you out on that DVD

2/10/2008 7:48:27 PM

Minnesota

I thought that same way about miracle grow, but, I see Beechim (I think) heavy hitter uses a mild solution of it on his plants.

2/10/2008 8:46:14 PM