Pumpkin Weighoffs in MN

17 years ago

Hi there,

I grew some Atlantic Dills pumpkins (first year of trying big pumpkins) - and boy was it fun! I learned alot, so can't wait to do it again next year. Even not knowing much about it, we got several really big ones.

I'd love to go to some Giant Pumpkin Weighoffs (or other giant veggies too for that matter). Anyone know of any going on??

The only one I know about is the one in Gonvick MN Sept 30th.

Thanks -

Jen

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Comments (6)

busygardner
17 years ago
Check out www.bigpumpkins.com loads of infomation on this site.
douglas14
17 years ago
Jen,
These are three that I know of:

Austin, MN
Stillwater, MN
Delano, MN...first year this year...Applejack Orchard

I've been to all three.
How big did your pumpkins get? Did you get your seeds from a "generic" Dill's Atlantic seed pack, or were they seeds from a known cross(father and mother stated)?
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northerngirlz3
Original Author
17 years ago
Our biggest pumpkin was about 150lbs, and we had 4 pretty big on that vine (I know, sposed to limit them to 1-2). We carved them for Halloween - how fun! Also found that they do not taste too good roated, seeds are just too big!

Our seed was "generic" Atlantic Dills. Now we have a catalog of the known crosses - and will probably buy some for next year, although I still have some generic left too - might just use those. What do you think - is it worth buying the $20 seeds - does it really make a big difference??

We went to the weighoffs in Gonvick MN - the first place pumpkin was 1006 lbs!!! They gave out prizes for the top 10 - I think the #10 pumpkin was about 260lbs. Small town and so FUN!!! I'd love to go to some of the other weighoffs this year (not to enter in, but just to go watch). Which ones are the most fun? I'd especially like to go to one where they have other giant veggies too.
northerngirlz3
Original Author
17 years ago
After asking above, I should say that I'm not expecting a 1000 pounder, just some real big carvers. If I was better about feeding and watering, could I expect to get a 300 lb'er from "generic" seed?
elder
17 years ago
Gee, this 'giant' forum never fails to amaze me for its lack of response! Northerngirl, I do not have the answer to your question, but I think conventional wisdom would indicate that the larger pumpkins would come from the pedigree seeds. The parents of these are probably hand pollinated specifically for size, so you won't have a natural pollination diluting the genes, which would be more likely to happen with the less cared for generic seeds.
I doubt anyone can pin down what seeds will produce what size pumpkins, we just haven't gotten that good yet.....Elder
douglas14
17 years ago
Northerngirlz,
Sorry for the delay. I haven't visited this site in quite awhile. I'll try and email you soon. I have some seeds, of known parentage, that I could send you, if you'd like.

Doug