From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Essex UK

I'm growing giant field pumpkins for the 2026 season and I just wanted to know what to fertilise with and how often? I was also wondering how much spacing to give them as I would like to grow them in 2 rows. I've been growing pumpkins for 12+ years but really want to try and get some BIG FPs next year. All help will be greatly appreciated! I've spoken to G.Barratt for growing advice and he said that they're just like the atlantic giants. I am not too sure on what fertilisers because I'm trying to grow as organically as possible.

12/7/2025 7:22:45 PM

Syracuse, NY

The entire world of FP growing is on these very pages. I hope it doesn't backfire by anyone NOT replying to you because I replied to look at what's already been accomplished. It's a fine line. I am not an expert nor a FP heavy hitter, lol, but I do have aspirations to also do as you wish. My PB is 110 pounds offa the 116 Grunert (81 Wolf X Self) and that was I think in 2015. Think I was in 2nd place. A good day! Anyway, I've had a 54-57-pounder offa my own seed as well as a couple of 42s and a 32 in '25, so, no biggies but also, not much put into them! I would, and pardon my bossy nature, look in Grower Diaries on this website and latch onto several growers' Diaries that pertain TO FPs, thereby focusing on that 'field of expertise', lol.
To become a millionaire, do as a millionaire does! That's why my PBs are 940.6 and 110, lol!
Good Luck and please, 'Don't stop the ferts...' Oh, that's right. Organic, which I know very little about,
butt if you want to grow a BIG pumpkin, well, do what it takes. Yeah, I want as MUCH OM as I can get, but my manure situation is such that it's very far to get it and even with it going right by my house, I haven't heard from anyone I've asked to drop any off! Arrrghh...
PS---I'd imagine that Mycorrhizae is ORGANIC. *Till* it in. All you want to afford.
G. Barratt is a super-nice guy!!! Oh, yeah, as he let-on, FPs and AGs - What's to not find similar? Nada.
For your motivation:
https://fieldpumpkin.giantstogrow.com/fruitImages.php?PN=268%20Baggs%202022
Cheers! and all that---eric gerry

[Last edit: 12/08/25 7:04:19 AM]

12/7/2025 11:13:24 PM

Essex UK

That's perfect, I will do my research. Thank you so much! I've got some good seed (I hope) from various places. I've got the 75 Yohe, 96.6 Corbin, 111.5 Bennett, 162 Barratt and a cross between the 181 Wagler and the 158 Horde. That's just to name a few! Hopefully I get the big one I want. There is plenty of manure for them from the rabbits and chickens, I've used granular fertilisers before but didn't like the idea of birds mistaking it for seed and ingesting it!. I will try and get hold of some of that mycorrhiza because I've heard it's magical!
Thank you for your help!
Harrison :)

12/8/2025 1:07:55 PM

Syracuse, NY

Sure! eric g (*_*)

12/8/2025 11:17:57 PM

Hadley Ny

I use aged manure..2-3 yers old.. mixed in a 50-50 ratio and only feed them lots of water with no care and consistently grow 100 lb field kins. Nephew did the same this year and grew a 110 and 128 lber on the same plant. Plant probably only took up 150 sq ft. Pic at end of my diary this year. Doesn't get much more organic than that. I only space mine 2-3' apart. I'm sure with more care and spacing they would be bigger. They like manure..I used horse manure.

12/11/2025 11:14:16 AM