Pumpkin Patch Project

[Luremaker]

Luremaker; Since this more of a fun project for me instead of a serious agricultural venture, I did not do a soil test. I did throw a couple of bags of lime pellets on the small plot and will put some fertilizer on the rows after planting. When do you recommend fertilizing? Pre emerge or post emerge or does it matter that much?

What does the MAP acronym mean?

MAP is monoammonium phosphate or 11-52-00 granular fertilizer. It is often the recommended starter fertilizer because it is very safe to use in starter bands and rarely burns young plants. It can be used pre or post emergent. My soil is very low in phosphate so it requires an extra boost. I've been adding MAP to my patches every year and I've been seeing improvements in the soil tests.

Optimum soil PH is 6.1 to 6.5 for pumpkins so only add lime if your PH is low. My soil PH usually tests around 7.0-7.1 which is a little high.

Without a soil test I think you can apply 150lbs/acre of 19-19-19 pre emergent and sidedress another 30-40lbs nitrogen/acre using Urea 46-0-0 just before the plants vine. With a small patch I'd just walk the rows with a hand spreader then till or cultivate the area to incorporate the nitrogen.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Well I planted the pumpkins today. Also. I sprayed the plot with Command herbicide. Hopefully the command will help with weed control. It should keep all grass out as well as small broadleafs. I think larger broadleafs will inhabit the pumpkins, but I don't think they should be a major problem.

I planted with my JD 71 planter but not the conventional way. I did not use plates, but just put the seeds down through one of the seed tubes manually through a funnel. I walked beside the planter and my wife drove the tractor. This was her first time to drive the tractor. I mention this because guys on TBN have cautioned regarding teaching the wife to drive the tractor. Once they learn they don't want to share. I don't think that will happen to me, but I did notice one thing. When we finished, I told her that I would drive the tractor back to the house. She declined the offer and said she could drive it back. She hasn't admitted it yet, but I think she had fun driving the Kubota.

Some pics of the Mrs. on the tractor and the planter and Fimco sprayer.

 

[Luremaker]

Well I planted the pumpkins today. Also. I sprayed the plot with Command herbicide. Hopefully the command will help with weed control. It should keep all grass out as well as small broadleafs. I think larger broadleafs will inhabit the pumpkins, but I don't think they should be a major problem.

I planted with my JD 71 planter but not the conventional way. I did not use plates, but just put the seeds down through one of the seed tubes manually through a funnel. I walked beside the planter and my wife drove the tractor. This was her first time to drive the tractor. I mention this because guys on TBN have cautioned regarding teaching the wife to drive the tractor. Once they learn they don't want to share. I don't think that will happen to me, but I did notice one thing. When we finished, I told her that I would drive the tractor back to the house. She declined the offer and said she could drive it back. She hasn't admitted it yet, but I think she had fun driving the Kubota.

Some pics of the Mrs. on the tractor and the planter and Fimco sprayer.

Now, all you need is a little rain. Did you fertilize at all? If your rows are spaced wide enough to run the tiller between the rows you can till under most of the weeds before they take over the patch. I've even walked up the rows and moved vines out of the way so that I could run the tiller one last time. My in-row weeding is done by hand. I am thinking of making a really small cultivator with de-thatcher tines to use between the plants in-row which are spaced 3-4 feet apart.

I tilled my patches yesterday and hope to plant half this evening and the balance Wednesday evening.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Now, all you need is a little rain. Did you fertilize at all? If your rows are spaced wide enough to run the tiller between the rows you can till under most of the weeds before they take over the patch. I've even walked up the rows and moved vines out of the way so that I could run the tiller one last time. My in-row weeding is done by hand. I am thinking of making a really small cultivator with de-thatcher tines to use between the plants in-row which are spaced 3-4 feet apart.

I tilled my patches yesterday and hope to plant half this evening and the balance Wednesday evening.

I haven't fertilized yet. I didn't do a soil test, so I don't have a specific blend/amount of fertilizer to use. I think I will just hand broadcast some 15-15-15 down the rows. Do you think I should do that now or wait until the plants germinate? I put some lime down a couple or three months ago.

I don't have a tiller or cultivator. The rows are approximately 6 ft. apart. I can get a tractor between the rows until the vines start spreading. I was thinking of using my box blade scarifiers as cultivators until I can't get between the rows anymore. Not sure if that will do much good. The scarifiers don't have sweeps like a cultivator. I'm just hoping the Command provides adequate weed control.

Speaking of rain, we were supposed to get some yesterday, today and early tomorrow. So far only brief sprinkles, nothing to help with germination. I'm now worried about rain prospects. There appears to be nothing in the forecast for the near future.

Luremaker, what size is your pumpkin crop?

 

[Luremaker]

I haven't fertilized yet. I didn't do a soil test, so I don't have a specific blend/amount of fertilizer to use. I think I will just hand broadcast some 15-15-15 down the rows. Do you think I should do that now or wait until the plants germinate? I put some lime down a couple or three months ago.

Pumpkins are heavy feeders so adding fertilizer will really help them. Best to broadcast the fertilizer before a rain.

I don't have a tiller or cultivator. The rows are approximately 6 ft. apart. I can get a tractor between the rows until the vines start spreading. I was thinking of using my box blade scarifiers as cultivators until I can't get between the rows anymore. Not sure if that will do much good. The scarifiers don't have sweeps like a cultivator. I'm just hoping the Command provides adequate weed control.

I've never used any herbicides so I have no experience with them. Here in Ontario you require a "license" before you can purchase/use any herbicides or pesticides.

Speaking of rain, we were supposed to get some yesterday, today and early tomorrow. So far only brief sprinkles, nothing to help with germination. I'm now worried about rain prospects. There appears to be nothing in the forecast for the near future.

Hopefully you to get some rain soon. Last week we received an inch or two then another inch over the weekend so I have lots of moisture for at least a week or two.

On May 15th my son planted some sweet corn and it was two weeks before we had any rain and the corn did not germinate until a few days after the rain last week.

Luremaker, what size is your pumpkin crop?

This year I am planting 1-1/2 acres. I am planting Howden, Howden Biggie, Big Max, Atlantic, Rouge vif D'Etampes (Cinderella) and a number of small gourds and miniature pumpkin varieties. We donate most to a few schools, and to the local pumpkin chucking group north of us.

 

[Luremaker]

Jerry, how are your pumpkins doing?

I ended up planting my large varieties on the 16th and the miniature varieties on the 17th. Weather has been perfect rain every second day and lot's of heat. All the pumpkins started germinating yesterday along with many weeds. I do my first cultivating tomorrow.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Jerry, how are your pumpkins doing?

I ended up planting my large varieties on the 16th and the miniature varieties on the 17th. Weather has been perfect rain every second day and lot's of heat. All the pumpkins started germinating yesterday along with many weeds. I do my first cultivating tomorrow.

My pumpkins have been in the ground two weeks now. We got one timely rain (about 1/4 inch) on Monday after planting on Sunday. That was enough to get germination but have not had a drop since, plus it is extremely hot. I have been watering by hand, quite a chore. The patch is too far from the house to use hoses for watering so I am having to transport water in large trash cans in my tractor bucket and then dipping and pouring from a watering bucket with spout. Verrry inefficient and time consuming, but the alternative is losing the entire crop. Those plants are too young and vulnerable at this point to just let them perish from lack of water. Real farmers in this area are going to need some rain soon to avoid some crop damage. However there's no relief in the forecast.

I used two kinds seeds for planting; seeds I saved from a last years pumpkin (variety unknown) and some store bought howden seeds. I have one observation from that experiment; the store bought seeds have a better germination rate, 90-95% vs. about 75-80% for the recycled seeds. Since this is only a fun project, not a money making venture, the germination rate is not a big deal.

I planted two seeds per location. Many have two plants at one location in the row. My plan was to thin to one plant per location, but I read somewhere recently that it is not a problem to leave two. Luremaker or other pumpkin growers; what is you opinion on this?

 

[Luremaker]

My pumpkins have been in the ground two weeks now. We got one timely rain (about 1/4 inch) on Monday after planting on Sunday. That was enough to get germination but have not had a drop since, plus it is extremely hot. I have been watering by hand, quite a chore. The patch is too far from the house to use hoses for watering so I am having to transport water in large trash cans in my tractor bucket and then dipping and pouring from a watering bucket with spout. Verrry inefficient and time consuming, but the alternative is losing the entire crop. Those plants are too young and vulnerable at this point to just let them perish from lack of water. Real farmers in this area are going to need some rain soon to avoid some crop damage. However there's no relief in the forecast.

I used two kinds seeds for planting; seeds I saved from a last years pumpkin (variety unknown) and some store bought howden seeds. I have one observation from that experiment; the store bought seeds have a better germination rate, 90-95% vs. about 75-80% for the recycled seeds. Since this is only a fun project, not a money making venture, the germination rate is not a big deal.

I planted two seeds per location. Many have two plants at one location in the row. My plan was to thin to one plant per location, but I read somewhere recently that it is not a problem to leave two. Luremaker or other pumpkin growers; what is you opinion on this?

I would not thin the plants. I space my rows 8-10 feet apart with in-row spacing of 40 inches. My planter drops between 1 and 4 seeds per hill and I never thin unless I over filled the planter and it dumped a large number of seeds in one spot.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I would not thin the plants. I space my rows 8-10 feet apart with in-row spacing of 40 inches. My planter drops between 1 and 4 seeds per hill and I never thin unless I over filled the planter and it dumped a large number of seeds in one spot.

Is the second pic this year? If so, you have a nice start very quickly. Great job! I'll post some pics when mine get further along.

 

[Luremaker]

Is the second pic this year? If so, you have a nice start very quickly. Great job! I'll post some pics when mine get further along.

Both those pictures are from past seasons. I'll have to take a few pictures soon. Over the weekend I was going to run my tiller between the rows to clean up newly germinating weeds. Since I already had my dethatcher on the tractor I decided to give it a try. I was impressed with how well it pulled out all those small weeds. Much faster than running the tiller. If you have a dethatcher give it a try.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Both those pictures are from past seasons. I'll have to take a few pictures soon. Over the weekend I was going to run my tiller between the rows to clean up newly germinating weeds. Since I already had my dethatcher on the tractor I decided to give it a try. I was impressed with how well it pulled out all those small weeds. Much faster than running the tiller. If you have a dethatcher give it a try.

So far no weed problems. I sprayed with Command and it appears that it is doing the job. I'm glad there are no regulations here that prevent us from buying and spraying herbicides.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

The pumpkins have been in the ground 1 month now. We had one small shower the day after I planted and then 3 weeks of no rain and 100+ temperatures. I had to hand water the plants for that period of drought. The last week we have been getting quite a bit of rain. The plants survived and now look to be thriving.

I am afraid of mildew with all the wet weather we are having. I plan to spray a fungicide in the next couple of days to hopefully keep them from getting sick.

In the picture you will notice that some of the plants are much larger than others. In the initial planting, I had some skips and had to go back and replant some spots. I think the younger plants will catch up fairly soon.

 

[Luremaker]

The pumpkins have been in the ground 1 month now. We had one small shower the day after I planted and then 3 weeks of no rain and 100+ temperatures. I had to hand water the plants for that period of drought. The last week we have been getting quite a bit of rain. The plants survived and now look to be thriving.

I am afraid of mildew with all the wet weather we are having. I plan to spray a fungicide in the next couple of days to hopefully keep them from getting sick.

In the picture you will notice that some of the plants are much larger than others. In the initial planting, I had some skips and had to go back and replant some spots. I think the younger plants will catch up fairly soon.

Those are looking great. I hate to say at least half of mine have been destroyed by cucumber beetles. The plants were doing really well then out of nowhere came thousands of beetles. The came the same weekend I was gone so I could not do a thing. By the time I got back many of the plants were dead or dying. To make it even harder on the plants we are having a hotter and dryer summer. It looks like all the Atlantic's, cinderela and most of the miniature did not make it. Saturday morning I'll go out and till the weeds and see what remains of my patch.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Those are looking great. I hate to say at least half of mine have been destroyed by cucumber beetles. The plants were doing really well then out of nowhere came thousands of beetles. The came the same weekend I was gone so I could not do a thing. By the time I got back many of the plants were dead or dying. To make it even harder on the plants we are having a hotter and dryer summer. It looks like all the Atlantic's, cinderela and most of the miniature did not make it. Saturday morning I'll go out and till the weeds and see what remains of my patch.

Man that beetle story is the pits. Nobody likes to see the stuff they're growing die. Good luck on the ones that survive. I've always thought I would like to be a real farmer but not sure I could deal with mother nature's cruelty. A lost crop to a farmer is serious business unlike my hobby farming.

 

[downslope]

Do you think these will make it by OCT 1? It's been dry and they haven't been growing much, but almost an inch of rain in past 5 days and hot, so I'm hoping they'll take off.

 

[FreshRouteFarm]

Those are looking great. I hate to say at least half of mine have been destroyed by cucumber beetles. The plants were doing really well then out of nowhere came thousands of beetles. The came the same weekend I was gone so I could not do a thing. By the time I got back many of the plants were dead or dying. To make it even harder on the plants we are having a hotter and dryer summer. It looks like all the Atlantic's, cinderela and most of the miniature did not make it. Saturday morning I'll go out and till the weeds and see what remains of my patch.

The same thing happened to my small patch. What's left is doing well besides the lack of rain.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

View attachment 274044Do you think these will make it by OCT 1? It's been dry and they haven't been growing much, but almost an inch of rain in past 5 days and hot, so I'm hoping they'll take off.

I'm betting they'll make it by Oct 1. We weren't getting much rain either, but getting quite a bit last couple of weeks. My pumpkins really took off. The plants look great, but I'm a little concerned about the low number of blooms so far. A few blooms but not many yet. Hope I didn't put too much nitrogen on them.

 

[Luremaker]

I'm betting they'll make it by Oct 1. We weren't getting much rain either, but getting quite a bit last couple of weeks. My pumpkins really took off. The plants look great, but I'm a little concerned about the low number of blooms so far. A few blooms but not many yet. Hope I didn't put too much nitrogen on them.

Jerry, I think your plants will do fine. Remember most large pumpkin varieties only average 1-2 fruit per plant. It's been a month since our last real rain. We've had a sprinkle here and there but that's all. I tilled under 1/2 acre of corn today and the soil was dry as a bone.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Jerry, I think your plants will do fine. Remember most large pumpkin varieties only average 1-2 fruit per plant. It's been a month since our last real rain. We've had a sprinkle here and there but that's all. I tilled under 1/2 acre of corn today and the soil was dry as a bone.

Luremaker, sounds like you are having a rough year with the corn and pumpkins. Hope you are able to salvage something out of your efforts.

One question....where do you get your seeds? I'm having a lot of fun growing the pumpkins. I'll probably increase my patch size next year and will need to get seeds in larger quantities so I'll probably mail order. I got a Rupp Seeds catalog and they have a good selection. Any other suggestions?

 

[downslope]

Luremaker, sounds like you are having a rough year with the corn and pumpkins. Hope you are able to salvage something out of your efforts.

One question....where do you get your seeds? I'm having a lot of fun growing the pumpkins. I'll probably increase my patch size next year and will need to get seeds in larger quantities so I'll probably mail order. I got a Rupp Seeds catalog and they have a good selection. Any other suggestions?

For commercial pumpkins, I would say Rupp and Harris Seeds are the big guys. Also Siegers Seeds and Seedway have large selections. Unless you're growing organic I would stick to the seeds with the Farmore coating; that will do a lot to help with early beetle problems. The seed companies seem to like to restrict the treatment to their proprietary varieties, probably to encourage you to buy those.