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Omaha, Ne.

Whats the cost to grow a 1000lbs pumpkin

11/30/2011 8:14:29 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

I've seen people that have spent over $5000 and people that have spent $50 with basically the same result.

11/30/2011 8:40:09 AM

Nottingham, UK

This year I grew a 494lb pumpkin on just free manure and about £30 for fish, blood and bone, seaweed and chicken manure. Could have buried all the vines, watered and fed the whole plant and not grown on a secondary 4feet from the stump and mine would have been much bigger!

I would imagine if you are growing in the same patch year after year then you may need to invest more to keep the soil good and for all those soil tests.

This year my budget is going to be £150 for 2 plants to include: Humate, Humic acid, Microorganisms and micronutrients solutions, amino acids, mycorhizae, calcium etc as well as the usual bonemeal, seaweed etc.
I could easily spend more if delivery to the UK was not so expensive.

11/30/2011 8:47:16 AM

Rhode Island

ron and i grow between eight and ten plants each year.over the years we have invested heavily by purchasing tractor/tiller,new well for patch,having trees removed,etc.
yearly though? between compost,fertalizers,ammendments,spray and drench products, we spend in the area upwards of three to five thousand dollars. each year is different.

team lunatic is correct though. you can grow a big pumpkin on a limited budget.its risky and many more things can happen when you eliminate products from your program but, IT CAN BE DONE.

a lot depends on your garden budget.

pap

11/30/2011 8:56:03 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Dick, come on man I've been to your place three to five grand worth of BEER how did you forget that as an economic factor!...LOL

11/30/2011 9:29:45 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Old tractor ........................................ $3000
Seeds from a top-flight performer .................... $80
Seaweed, Kelp, bone-meal ............................. $50
Plastic and supplies for early season protection .....$100
Growing the biggest pumpkin in your neighborhood, weighoff, state, country or world ....... Priceless!

11/30/2011 9:59:25 AM

Oakland,Maine

Other than the tractor expense ($300 for a tiller instead) pretty much the same as what Cliff said.
You can cut corners here and there but you get out of it what you put into it.
2011 was my second try and I got a 819 pounder.

11/30/2011 12:48:43 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I haven't hit 1000# yet, but I came close this year. I don't have much to spend since my medical bills eat up all my spare funds. I watch for fall clearance sales, get free manure from farmer friends, buy garden tools at gargage sales, anything to keep expenses low. I'm sure I spent less than $300 for 2010. On average my prize money and sales from the garden just about cover all my expenses. I might have to spend a little more for 2012 as I got a better soil test that shows I need a lot more potash. But I'm having lots of fun without breaking the bank.

11/30/2011 12:50:17 PM

Maine

I have a budget of $300 per year to grow four plants. I have a rear tine tiller from before I started growing so I do not include it. I get all my manure free from local farms including leaves from my transfer station.

Last year I grew a 1012 and 1327 lbs. This year I grew a 915 and a 1201 lbs.

I put a lot of work into my patch burying and trimming everyday. I am prof you can grow them over 1000 lbs on a shoe string budget if you are willing to put in the work.

But.....if I was to include all the Twisted Teas I drank in my budget..........lets just say you could probally double it.

11/30/2011 1:04:33 PM

Polson, Montana

My wife says that I spend thousands of dollars on growing but I think it only a few hundred dollars. High tunnel, tractor, and supplies are all necessities don't you think. Besides we have the best garden of anyone around thanks to you know who.

11/30/2011 6:16:41 PM

Pittsford, Vermont

My first year growing I spent about $300 to grow a 720# Kin. My second year I spent about $500 to grow a 1333# and a 660# Kin. The most expensive part for me was geting my soil where it needs to be. Once you have the soil in prime condition its not too expensive to maintain it each year. 2 soil tests yearly (Spring and fall)will tell you what needs to be done to maintain your soil conditions. Other inital start-up costs include hoop house or shelter material, soil warming cables, space heaters,heat lamps and germination system. Those initial start-ups will last for several seasons so they are not annual expenses. Truth of the matter is that you should invest only what you can afford- Dont break the bank your first year buying seeds, soil ammendments and fertilizers just because another grower tells you you need them. You need to understand how soil ammendments and fertilizers work before you just start throwing them on your plant or in your soil. Learning how to grow a giant pumpkin is NOT a quick process. Its takes a few years of obsessive research and most importantly ENJOYING the hobby. Like the old saying goes "Keep it Simple, Stupid!"

11/30/2011 7:44:43 PM

Johnston, R.I.

Keep it simple is good..........

12/1/2011 4:27:41 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Thanks everyone. Don't think I'll try to grow the world record in my 2md year...I will save that for my 3rd year.......HaHa

12/1/2011 8:34:13 PM

South of Buffalo

This was my 1st year growing:2 plants with an 835.8 and a 1079.6

soil ammendments/myco/kelp/azos/co2 etc from extermepumpkin store,manure compost, drip irrigation-infusion canister,fungicide-pesticide, sprayers, tiller rentals, soiltest, materials for cold frames,wind guards(plastic fence on stakes), cost of hitch and installation on the truck, i think thats about it ----1200-1400$

I anticipate only needing to spend a fraction of that amount next season on myco/kelp/pest/fungicide/kelp meal and humic acid most likely 200-300$. saved quite a bit by borrowing a trailer and a lifting A frame.

12/2/2011 6:09:50 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I think I was spending about 40 dollars a week just on additives to keep the plant healthy. Products like Milk to control powdery mildew and insecticides all take a toll on a weekly budget. this year I had a fruit that would have gone way over my personal best but the growth was just to much and the fruit split. I think sometimes there is to much of a good thing or things.

12/4/2011 9:36:03 AM