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Giant Vegetables

When to plant my Dill's Atlantic Giant

19 years ago

Hello,

As I ask this question, Please be assured I have done my homework and I am ready to grow a Giant Pumpkin. My dilema, I want to break the current South Carolina record of 696 pounds. I don't think there is a South Carolina Pumpkin Festival (if anybody knows of one, PLEASE let me know) I would like to enter my "biggie" in the State Fair, (251 days from this posting) or at least enter it in my local fair (269 days from posting) How would I go about getting it weighed for the State Record? When should it get planted for the State Fair? I know they need 120-150 days for growing. Planting in the middle of May seems WAY too late! I would appreciate any help in this matter, If I could I would plant today, I know, only January and we WILL get more frosts. I should also add, I have a greenhouse and COULD plant today if it would help. Thank You in advance!

Darren

Comment (1)

douglas14
19 years ago
Darren,
I'd probably transplant the small pumpkin plant about 130- 140 days before the fair date. Is that a frost free time for you? Here, in a cooler climate(I'd guess), I planted out in mid May, and my pumpkin was picked in late Sept. It was a very cool summer. If you get real hot weather, your pumpkin may mature significanly faster, than mine did. I wouldn't want a pumpkin that matured a significant time before weighoff, as it may not keep well in the hot summer weather, and could loose water weight.
I'll send you an email soon, if it is accessable through this forum.

Douglas
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