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Eugene, OR

Hi all. Next year will be my first year growing
these monsters. I've been trying to figure out the best way to go about preparing my plot for optimum growth and I just wanted to run my plans by the experts to see if I'm making any obvious mistakes or if anyone has suggestions.

I have an L shaped plot 20 feet wide. The length of the longer leg is around 45 feet and the shorter leg is 20 feet. All told, I have about 1300 sq. ft. to work with and plan on planting 3 plants. Thanks to the guidance of Don Chambers, I've decided to utilize the Christmas tree
style to optimize space. I plan on tilling the entire plot the hard way with a 13 hp tiller (unfortunately) and adding the necessary nutrients per my soil analysis. I was also thinking of digging "pits" about 6 by 6 by 3 feet deep below the area where each of the seedlings will be
planted and refilling it with compost, manure, etc. to give the main root lots of nutrients as it grows. How much drainage do the root systems need to prevent rot? I was thinking of addind hay or something similar along with the composted manure, etc. to help with drainage but I'm not sure if it's necessary.

Does this sound like an acceptable plot for the AGP?

Also, where and when should I begin burying the main vine to encourage secondary root growth? I plan on setting the pumpkin about 15 feet out.

Thanks to some generous growers, I've gotten my hands on some good seed but I don't want to waste them on a poorly prepared plot.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Brian

11/15/2003 7:01:34 PM

Spanish Ontario

HI BRIAN 1st off don,t ad hay to pit any clover or any thing alike it might cause problems if soil has to much clay in it add some peat an some fine sand this will also help drainage if you go to grower diary,s under mudflap look at watering system i put in around pit it worked for me 2nd year grower 1265 UOW split 982.4 won PORT ELGIN INTERNATIONAL WEIGH OFF just my 2 ct,s worth KEN

11/15/2003 8:53:03 PM

Applegate, Oregon

Brian,

Sounds like you have things worked out pretty well. I wouldn't add anything to the pit that isn't already broke down or composted fairly good. Avoid the hay unless you have composted it or are tilling it in this fall. If you feel your soil needs to be broke up more, add some sand and or gypsum. The gypsum will add calcium as well as loosen the soil up.

It is nice to see another grower in Southern Oregon. I am just over the mountains from you in Applegate (near Medford). We'll be having another patch tour on our side next summer, maybe you'd like to pop on over and join us. Dale

11/15/2003 9:21:25 PM

for a first year grower, it sounds like a good start. just getting your soil fixed up is a priority for now; you have all winter to learn about vine burying, seed starting, pruning, etc. for drainage purposes...it depends on the incline of your plot, your soil, and the amount of rainfall you get... lots of variables in this hobby! i've never heard of adding hay for drainage though... some people like to do the pits...but if you can get the whole patch to have consistent high quality dirt, you're even better off. some people would only put 2 plants in 1300 ft, but some people like smaller plants too. anywho... have fun, stick around here to meet other growers, and be careful or you'll get addicted to growing these things!

11/15/2003 9:31:37 PM

Eugene, OR

Thanks to all for the replies!

Regarding drainage, I guess I'll just bank on the mulch and organic material to provide the necessary drainage at the stump. I'm just not sure about how "rot tolerant" the AGP's are.

I plan on ammending the entire plot per the soil analysis as well as using the pits to be sure there's an abundance of nutrients to feed the pumpkins. The initial plot preparation will begin in the next few weeks with tilling, adding compost, etc. but I'm still debating on whether or not to plant a cover crop such as winter rye.

I have also thought that 3 plants might be a tad much but I'm hoping the pruning will keep the plants under control. I guess we'll see how it goes.

I've grown Big Max's for the past couple of years with some sucess and have never had an insect issue here. I know it's wishful thinking, but I'm hoping the bugs will be gentle!

Dale, since you're close to my area, when do you normally start your seeds? I'm thinking that the early part of May would be about right for my area. I plan on starting them inside, then using an enclosure to prevent frost damage....but I'm curious to knoqw your method.

Thanks again everyone.

Brian

11/16/2003 12:36:36 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Brian...If digging the pits are gonna cause underground bath tubs. and hold the water abnormally long you will rot the roots out...A hole dug in dense clay will stand a long time...It sounds like you have got some good sound advice and well on your way...Grow em BIG. Chuck

11/16/2003 8:13:54 AM

Applegate, Oregon

Brian,

Around May first over here, though I was a bit late in '03. You will have frost issues longer over there than I, so protection will be a must. I tried to get some out in early to mid april so that I could have a nice one for a local fair in mid August. Real pain, and lost the two plants I got out. Had some days where it would freeze at night then hit 80 in the day.

In '04, I am just going to start them all the first of May and out to the patch shortly afterward. I had no need to cover the seedlings with a mid may start in '03, and surmise that I'll just need to protect at night for the first couple weeks of an earlier start. Dale

11/16/2003 4:02:47 PM

Eugene, OR

Chuck, good point. I guess I'll decide what I'm going to do when I get my soil test results back. That should give me an idea of the clay content and I'll go from there.

Dale, thanks again for the info. I definitely plan to use a cold frame to keep the plants protected because up here at 4500 feet, any night can be a potential disaster!

I've just started practicing my germination with some of the less desirable seeds to see what works best before doing the real thing next season. Besides, it keeps me busy during the long snowy winters we have up here!

Good luck to all and thanks again for your suggestions!

Brian

11/16/2003 5:41:25 PM

Deer Park WA

Mothers Day is about set out time here east of the Cascades, and even then you better have some type of cover/heat. 2453 elevation.

11/16/2003 11:11:53 PM

Hobbiton New Zealand

You can drill a hole at the bottom of your pits and fill with scoria or rock to help take water away. I went down 3 feet for the pit and then drilled with a post hole borer another 6 feet until I got past the clay and into some sandstone

11/17/2003 12:24:35 AM

Eugene, OR

Oh, what I could do with the proper equipment!! It's bad enough that I have to till the entire plot, most of which has never been tilled before, with a walk behind tiller...LOL.

My plot is on a slight slope so I'm thinking I just may dig a trench at the bottom of the pit on the downhill side and fill it with rock to help things drain.

Wish my soil test results would get back so I can get this plot tilled!

11/17/2003 7:26:46 PM

mcminnville oregon

Brian are you a member of the PGVG (PACIFIC GIANT VEGETABLE GROWERS) Yet???? check ouut the seed they offer on the DEC 6TH auction!!!!! Good PEOPLE.

11/22/2003 10:26:21 PM

mcminnville oregon

BRIAN: iVE USED THE DOWNHILL SLOPE TO MY ADVANTAGE???? USING a 55gal barrel filled with goodies??? 3" drainage undernneath the expected route of my plant to seep over several hour oof the hot day??? IM GETTING MORE BARRELS FOR NEXT SEASON

11/22/2003 10:37:01 PM

Eugene, OR

I was recently emailed by someone regarding the PGVG organization. It sounds like there are a lot of good people involved with them and I plan on sending my dues in on Monday. I'm more than happy to help support such a fine organization.

I looked over their auction and there is a lot of great seed up for sale. My significant other would not be happy if I started spending a bunch of money on those awesome seeds.....LOL. I can only imagine how much one of the Daletas 1385 seeds will go for!!

Thank you for the suggestions as well. I'm working on getting the dough saved up for the tiller rental and composted cow manure but I plan on having the plot prepared by January. A few months of composting will just have to be enough! :-)

11/22/2003 11:00:02 PM