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Lodi, California

hi all! this message is mainly for california growers in general but i would appreciate advice from other growers. i looked up my last frost date and was shocked how early it was. im located in stockton california for those who dont know and my last frost date was between mar 1st and 10th. so heres the tricky part, i dont know if i should plant my seeds 4 weeks before the last frost date.(around febuary 1-10) the upside would be to have more time to grow, the down sides would be that it would be fairly cold, lows around 40 degrees, and the fact that i have alot to catch up on soil wise. then i could plant 2 weeks later, planting at this time would have the benefits of planting in early febuary (more time than usual to grow) and the benefits of planting when everyone else normally plants, around late april.( by planting i mean planting indoors in a pot.) the benefits of this is more heat and soil prep. Then i could plant when everyone else normally plants, in late april. the benefits of this is more heat and better soil prep than the 2 other choices, but the down side is that there will be less time for the plant to grow. thanks to all who took the time of day to read this much of my question, for it is quite lengthy. happy rest of the holidays!

12/27/2012 1:31:39 AM

Lodi, California

also i just wanted to say, im probly going to use a 6 by 8 greenhouse. the green house will be in a boxy shape, not the conventonal hoop frame. thanks!

12/27/2012 1:34:17 AM

formerly RGG

A lot of the fun of growing is taking your pumpkin to a weigh-off and if you grow too early your pumpkin may be finished and gone before a weigh-off comes around. Also, a good growing temperature is critical to the ability of a pumpkin to grow at a good rate. I think you should wait and grow at the same time other experienced growers in your area grow. They have been doing this for a while and they start when they do for good reason. Don't think you may have figured out a better time to start than other growers. Starting too early will only lead to disappointment. IMHO

12/27/2012 7:41:28 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Let him learn from his mistakes and do what he wants to do..:)

12/27/2012 2:32:14 PM

Lodi, California

Thanks for the help Linus

12/27/2012 3:40:04 PM

Lodi, California

Thank you for helping me tennesse. I appreciate it.:)

12/27/2012 3:42:20 PM

Colorado

Ashton once the plant gets cranking it will fill that 350 square feet fast(faster with the greenhouse).Starting seeds in the last week of april or later is the way to go.

12/27/2012 5:26:36 PM

Lodi, California

Thanks cojoe

12/27/2012 6:28:07 PM

Rhode Island

this is better than romper room.

12/28/2012 7:01:31 AM

Rhode Island

ashton

if you would like to start extra early thats ok but if you want to take it to any weighoffs in late sept or oct? you should start your seeds mid april and set in patch very late april.

that would still put you ahead of the eastern states growers but not to early so as to miss the weighoffs.

pap

12/29/2012 12:14:43 PM

Lodi, California

thanks pap. wow, is it me or is the growing season coming along fast? only a few months left:)

12/29/2012 12:28:17 PM