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Knopp, Germany

this year i grew one that made it to 165 pounds. i read Don Langevin's books and ordered via the internet all of the fertilizer/seaweed/fish emulsion I could and used it as directed. It cost an arm and a leg to ship to Germany, but I figured if ya wanna play with the big boys, ya gotta pay. I didn't have any manure or green compost. My question is....I wonder just how much the fertilizer makes a difference if the soil isn't right?

I have a connection for cow manure this fall and will get as much as I can. Next year I intend on using a lot less fertilizer. What do you think?

10/17/2002 10:59:40 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

A soil test will take away the guesswork Owen.

10/17/2002 2:04:48 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Hey Owen - I fertilized the crap out of my plants - sounds like you did the same. I gave them fish/seaweed every day & other ferts too. I feel as if this made a difference, but to what extent I'm not quite sure. I didn't do any site prep, and had limited space in which to grow & set the very first female - 5 ft. out. I feel pretty lucky as to what I ended up with (317lbs).
I'm sure that with the proper site prep, and the knowledge that you got from this season, you will undoubtedly grow a bigger one next year. I'm sure that you will still want to fertilize as these plants are "hungry".

10/17/2002 2:14:59 PM

Deer Park WA

Hay Owen, what do you mean you don't have any manure over there don't you folks have cows and horses? I pour on about 4 yards per site every year...

10/17/2002 4:36:01 PM

Long Island,New York

Fertilizers help out immensely when the soils dont have what it takes. But, they are not substitutes for a healthy rich soil. Manures do so much more than supply nutrients...they feed beneficial organisms that assist in mineral/nutrient absorption...they hold moisture for the plant, they cool or warm the plants roots. All the organic ammendments assist in making a friable soil for roots to travel.Yes, in a pinch or as an additive the ferts are good...but dont think you'll do just fine if you only use miracle grow....build the soil......G

10/17/2002 4:51:09 PM

[email protected]

http://www.wolf-garden.com/public_uk/produkte/prod02a.hbs?article_id=1014039520&SKIP=0

Wolf-Garten sells several types of commercial fertilzers in Germany. You may wish to check with them. Once the soil has been tested, it is likely that any additional macronutrients can be obtained locally without the need for excessive freight. Our compnay manufactures quality ingedients for Wolf in Ohio, & we ship in bulk to Germnay. I wouldn't get to hung up on what sort of marketing claims are on the bag. The N,P,& K are all that really matters & pumpkins can't read anyway.

It would still be wise to add all the good organic matter that you can of course.

Steve

10/17/2002 7:53:36 PM

Knopp, Germany

Soil test, add manure, remember what I learned this year, don't overpay for fertilizer......

Thanks for all the input guys, I think next year I'll name one of my pumpkins "Group Effort", there is no way I could do this without the support from this site and the great folks that contribute!

10/18/2002 1:38:21 AM

Montoursville, PA

Wow! The compost pile and the garden needs animal content. That might be tankage used in cattle feed containing about 12% N., blood meal at 12% fish meal, road kills (dead animals), fish, and such. Waste from your fish market??? Any of the above dug into your garden will be composted in time. It just takes longer when not heated by being in the pile. The rule of thumb to make a pile that will heat is 1/3 high N. 1/3 low or no N. and 1/3 soil. If these items are added to the garden in the early fall they will be broken down for the most part by the following spring. Look in the area for waste material. We can all find some for free and likely more than we believe exists.

10/23/2002 10:27:49 PM