Growing a Giant Pumpkin

About a week after the pumpkin plant was planted.

I have always loved giant pumpkins and it has been on my bucket list to grow one. I thought why not grow one this year! I have the space available right now to grow one so why not! This is a new gardening adventure for me and I am going to figure it out as I go. I plan on writing giant pumpkin updates with what is working and what is not working.

I purchased a package of Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds from my local nursery. I followed the directions on the package and started the seeds indoors 6 weeks before I planted them. This was my first little mistake, but not major. Starting them 6 weeks in advance was way too far in advance. I put 1 seed each in a half gallon pot. Little did I know that even in a larger pot to start out, giant pumpkins become root bound really quick. Compared to other plants, this stresses them a lot and puts out female flowers, which can set back their growth. I should have started by plant indoors only a two to three weeks in advance. Mine started to put out some flowers so I pinched them because I want them farther out on the vine. I feel that my plant is adapting now that it has been in the ground for over a week. We will wait and see how things turn out!

I planted my giant pumpkin in full sun near a large grassy area for the vines to run free. I put soaker hoses around my plant to help with watering as giant pumpkins need a lot of water. I am still learning about the fertilizing schedule that should be done to grow a giant pumpkin. I put down a slow release vegetable fertilizer and compost when I planted and will be feeding fish emulsion weekly. When it comes to fertilizing I think I will have a lot to learn this year.

I am protecting my pumpkin from deer with a pulsed electric fence. The vines are starting to grow through the fence into the grass, so I will need to expand my electric fence.

If you have ever grown a giant pumpkin before please share any advice!