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Garden State Pumpkins

I know it's way early but I'm trying to plan on how to get the Larger pumpkin. Last years diary show the confine of the protected garden I can have. With a diagonal vine a could get maybe 25 ft of main vine. The secondary will have to pass outside the fence or allowed to grow up the fence which would give me more leaf count. If you had to make a decision which way would you go. Will start a second vine to be culled after pollenation just to be sure I have the male flowers I need. I have dug a three foot hole for the plant and will start them earlier this year but know that the plant will climb the fence if I let it or grow through it if I train it...Any thoughts will help on this in making my decision...Do have groundhogs outside the fence that love the tips. Thanks Chuck

1/22/2002 12:55:10 PM

Ga.

If you let it grow up the fence Chuck,,my opinion would be that the side runners would not be getting any food to the pkin,,but you would have plenty leaves..I'm gonna watch this thread cause I have the same problem in one of my spots...Good Luck,grow a biggun...Jeff ^_^

1/22/2002 1:12:12 PM

Eagan,Minnesota

I grew my 370 lb pumpkin last year in 22 feet by everything else up the fence....8 foot fence....Chris

1/22/2002 7:21:39 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Thanks guys I will try and get the first secondaries to grow inside and along the fence for burying and let the tertiaries grow up the fence. I have removed some offending trees that where blocking some of my sun and hope that will do it. thanks again will let you know how it goes. chuck

1/23/2002 12:53:17 PM

Deer Park WA

Alexsdad, I have a little corner lot too. I have foud that after a while you can just sell your lawn mower.
Actually you bring up a great issue, 99% of all residential gardeners like us dont have the traditional space the experts recommend. Be creative and industrius in your sites... The finer the quality of life your soil microbes enjoy, the less space you need to feed that bad boy.....

1/23/2002 9:23:08 PM