Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 12 Entries. Wednesday, April 12 View Page And so begins my journey into the world of giant pumpkin cultivation! I owe a unique debt of gratitude to Joe Jutras, an old family friend, former neighbor, and a multiple world record holder. He's generously gifted me seeds from two of his recent pumpkins that were great performers with some great genetics. He was also kind enough to share some invaluable wisdom and advice to kickstart my venture.   Saturday, May 6 View Page I've finally finished creating two cold frames and providing a heat source so I can set my seedlings out into the New England weather pre-last-frost. The patch is about 24 x 40, which I'm hoping will give me enough space for one large plant, one plant for the 150 sq ft contest, and maybe a little extra room for some porch pumpkins. Just sent in some soil samples for testing, hoping to get the results back soon so I can amend the soil before the plants get too big   Sunday, May 7 View Page Planted my 150 sq ft plant today. It's a 2032 Jutras 2020 seed that was started on April 15. I took Steve Connolly's advice and will be planting it in an area that's about 6' x 25'. It currently measures 6' x 23.5'. The cotyledons are all starting to yellow on my seedlings, so I'm glad I was able to get this one in the ground today. I guess next time I'll know to feed the seedlings a bit rather than using a seed-starting mix.   Monday, May 8 View Page These are the two plants that will be vying for the most real estate in the patch. They're both from 2032 Jutras 2020 seeds. Was really hoping that one of the 1697 Jutras seedlings would be viable (which contain 1885 werner genetics), but unfortunately one didn't germinate and the other threw out two leaves at the first node, so it will be relegated to porch pumpkin / pollinator status in the patch.   Thursday, May 18 View Page Soil test came back today from UMass. The plot is currently completely virgin topsoil that was just sitting around growing grass for a few decades, so I guess the lack of nutrients is to be expected. I used Bryan Langley's soil calculator to figure out what to amend with. It's going to be difficult getting calcium up to the levels I see with other competitive growers, given that most calcium amendments take a while to be broken down. I'll likely have to supplement with a liquid calcium throughout the season.   Saturday, June 3 View Page Got my '150 sq ft challenge' patch in the Mail today!   Sunday, June 4 View Page The 150 sq ft plant has grown out of the cold frame and is starting to run. Need to start weeding before these things really start to take off!   Sunday, June 4 View Page The 150 sq ft plant has grown out of the cold frame and is starting to run. Need to start weeding before these things really start to take off!   Friday, June 9 View Page I culled one of the plants vying to be my main plant in the patch and went with this one, which was started on April 15. This plant was growing much more aggressively, so it made the decision a no-brainer.   Thursday, June 15 View Page The 150 sq ft plant is has been very aggressive and is outpacing the main plant. The first female showed up on the main but I had to cut it off - too early.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page The 150 plant is really starting to take off. It has a female flower ready to pop this weekend when I'll be away, so I'm going to have to figure out a way to have someone help me pollinate it. I really would like to do a self-pollination with this plant, given how vigorous it has been.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Here's the main plant, which is starting to pick up some steam. It threw off a runner that I trained back behind it. I'm planning on doing a mini waterfall pattern with this plant. I think there is something to be said for minimizing travel distance to the fruit by having longer secondary vines as you get closer to the fruit and shorter ones further back.