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San Diego

Hi, I would appreciate any recommendations for seeds that might do well in our southern California hot, dry climate. This might be even more important this year due to our drought.

I'm a third-year grower with a 500 lb pumpkin last year, and a 550 lb pumpkin in 2012. I'm severely restricted in space, however, I was hoping that some tips on which seeds to grow might give me an edge to make this year a personal best. That is, if I'm allowed to water my plants...

THANK YOU

2/6/2014 12:52:05 AM

Lodi, California

Kevin,

AG's in general need water. I dont think there are any seeds that will be a proven drout seed. It is probably best to look for the best seeds in your situation. a 1623 Wallace might work as a nice small patch seed.

2/6/2014 2:12:53 AM

British Columbia, Canada

The 275 Van Hook does well in hot climates.

2/6/2014 9:42:29 AM

Western NY

I don't believe there is any pumpkin seed that has been acclimated to any particular region or growing condition.

2/6/2014 10:30:24 AM

Preston CT

Try a 220 or something with 2009 in it....they seem to do well...anywhere...

2/6/2014 10:37:20 AM

Minnesota

There is a offer at the seed exchange on 12/15/13, by Green Gene, 220 x 2009, hottest genetics going!

2/6/2014 10:58:57 AM

Concord, CA.

Kevin,
Come to the northern Calif. Elk Grove grower's meeting next month. It's Sat. Mar. 1st. There will be a seed auction as well as a giveaway, your sure to get good seeds there.

2/6/2014 12:16:02 PM

Concord, CA.

SoCal Growers,
Here is the info about the Elk Grove growers's meeting next month;

On behalf of the Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) Department of Parks and Recreation in Elk Grove, CA we would like to invite you to the 2014 Giant Pumpkin Grower's Forum (flier/registration form attached). Held Saturday, March 1, 2014, the Giant Pumpkin Growers forum provides the opportunity to network with your fellow growers. Come learn from the world’s best, share tips, swap seeds and more! The meeting includes a guest speaker, catered lunch, seed swap, seed auction, seed raffle and prize raffle. See if you have what it takes to become California's GIANT Pumpkin record holder.

Saturday, March 1, 2014
10:00 am-3:00 pm, $20/person in advance or $30/person at the door
Pavilion in Elk Grove Park
9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624

This year’s guest speaker is Tim Mathison, from Napa CA:
Great Pumpkin Commonwealth’s Grower of the Year
New World Record Holder for his 2,032 pound pumpkin at the Uesugi Farms weigh-off
Grower of the 2013 Elk Grove GIANT Pumpkin Festival winning pumpkin at 1874.5 pounds

For more information about the meeting, contact Jenn Taylor at 405-5304 or [email protected]. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register over the phone with a credit card please call (916) 405-5300 or (916) 405-5600. Or fill out the attached form and return, along with payment, to:

Cosumnes CSD Parks and Recreation
8820 Elk Grove Blvd. Suite #3
Elk Grove, CA 95624


Save the Date
20th Annual Elk Grove GIANT Pumpkin Festival
October 4 & 5, 2014
www.yourcsd.com
Thank you,


Heather Shortino, Recreation Coordinator II
Cosumnes Community Services District
Parks and Recreation Department , Special Events
8820 Elk Grove Blvd. Suite #3, Elk Grove, CA 95624
Phone: (916) 405-5334 Fax: (916) 685-6942
Cell: (916) 880-0834
[email protected]
www.yourcsd.com

2/6/2014 12:26:25 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Good idea brad!!! Ill be up there the whole weekend. Good seeds, good folk and lots and lots to learn. You'd be surprised on the amount of knowlage you can obtain from one of these meetings Kevin!!

2/6/2014 2:03:36 PM

Long Island,New York

I guess it would make too much sense to have Elk Grove and the GPC do the GPC/Giant VegetableGrowers/Niagara/Orlando/Vegas seminar
together one year..Elk Grove as Host....etc....like OSLGA did with Guelph...?Or Port Elgin did with Niagara?

2/6/2014 2:41:44 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

California in March sounds awesome...road trip!!

2/6/2014 2:43:42 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

California, home of the Workd Record Pumpkin. I like the way that sounds. Thanks Tim!!!

2/6/2014 4:06:39 PM

NILES , CALIF

I have an old seed sent to me awhile back;on the front
of the cover it says grown in 100 degrees plus;if I remember
right the grower said it barely flagged at 100 degrees!
If I can grow this year I will grow it;Its supposed to be hot in my area this summer
the 659 Gagne 1332 werner x 1420 larue;
With water restrictions and heat here, this might be a good seed; nice looken pumpkin.

2/6/2014 4:23:40 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Maybe some genetics that produce plants with shorter leaf stalks and smaller leaves? I could be wrong, but I would think these traits would cause the plant to conserve water better? You may want to think of using strategic mulching to conserve soil moisture. Soils with high organic content can help also. Just some thoughts.

2/6/2014 4:34:17 PM

Torrance, Ca.

World records can't be grown in California Russ,,,,,, climates just not right ;)

2/6/2014 4:45:14 PM

Hinckley MN

2 words... shade cloth

plants only need about 50% of the available light in hot arid areas in the summer. The rest of the light is just heating the leaves and driving water loss. Anything you can do to reduce leaf temperature will reduce transpiration rate (water loss through the leaves). I've gardened in the deserts of Iraq and Kuwait. Shade cloth helps alot.

2/6/2014 5:49:06 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

No water, no pumpkin. Sad hard fact. But the shade cloth idea is right on the money.

2/6/2014 6:42:49 PM

San Diego

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses! I did shade cloth last year and with the confirmation that it helps from Farmer Ben, will definitely do it again.

If I can make the Elk Grove meeting I will... thanks for the invitation!

Hey, it actually rained here today!! All we need is a whole lot more... ;)

2/6/2014 11:35:46 PM

Parker, Co

Elk grove is the kind of place that COULD hold a GPC meeting. The parks and rec dept is FANTASTIC and they have great facilities that they rent out for weddings ect. ..elk grove is close to the sacramento airport...the weather is usually really nice in early March. If GPC is interested i can point them in the right direction on who to talk to.

2/7/2014 10:17:32 AM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

Theres also helping the co² levels good.which in return keeps the stomata closed so water doesnt escape when there open trying to take in co².

2/7/2014 10:32:44 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Recommendation for SoCal? How about a psychiatrist! Oh yeah mean the region.

2/7/2014 11:05:46 AM