For most gardeners , having a Cucurbita pepo patch is simply part of the garden as a whole . For some , growing the largest pumpkin vine possible is the goal , often to the exclusion of any other plant life .
Types of Giant Pumpkins
In the pumpkin globe , only pumpkins that are large than 150 hammering ( 68 kilogram ) dispose for the title of a giant . Some pumpkins can even grow to weighting as much as 1000 pounds ( 454 kilograms ) .
Although many conventional varieties of pumpkin develop to be quite large , only sure kinds of seed grow the genuine elephantine pumpkin vine . Some of these varieties include Dills ’s Atlantic Giant and Big Moose varieties .
Tip : It is well to purchase a well - experience variety of pumpkin seed label explicitly as a Giant Pumpkin . Otherwise , you will not be able to grow a autumn pumpkin that qualifies as a real giant .
How to Plant a Giant Pumpkin
Planting a giant autumn pumpkin follows the same necessary steps as planting any other autumn pumpkin [ ink atomic number 92 = how - to - plant - pumpkin - seeds]seed[/link ] . However , nurseryman have the dear chance of winner by begin planning in the drop , proper to planned planting time .
Amend Soil Appropriately
Since giant pumpkin vine take up a lot of room and require additional fertilizer to grow to such gargantuan proportions , it is essential to enrich the soil in the area you plan to engraft .
program in the fall by clearing out a large expanse and adding a thick level of mulch - from 3 - 5 ft ( 0.9 - 1.5 meters)-on top of the flat coat where you are set . Leaves and manure work best for this , but if you do not compost your own materials , a commercial organic compost will also work .
Using Cover Crops to Enrich Soil and Control Weeds
A cover crop such as rye whisky , difficult white wheat or millet can also enrich the soil as well as aid control weeds . These crops are planted in the fall and till under in the spring , adding much - require nitrogen to the land .
Cover crops also assist control Mary Jane by crowd out weed seeds and preventing them from taking over . Cover crops are essential for constitutional raiser because they limit the need for weed killers .
Starting Giant Pumpkin Seeds Indoors
To give the Giant Pumpkin plants a capitulum set off on the develop season , savvy gardeners start the cum indoors about four weeks before the last betoken frost date . By doing so , you may be indisputable the plants are well - constitute and healthy before planting the pumpkinsproutsinto the priming coat .
Additionally , Giant Pumpkin varieties do require a longer grow time of year than traditional pumpkins , anywhere from 130 to 165 day look on the variety . Starting seeds indoors is a must in orderliness to provide the plants the growing time they need to reach monstrous proportions .
Tip : enjoyment peat pots to start the seeds indoors . The stack can be planted directly into the earth when they are ready , which is easier plus prevents the root from becoming emphasize .
After transplanting , be certain to provide covering fire from the wind and potential late hoarfrost by creating mini - greenhouse for the pumpkin industrial plant . Some materials used for these include :
Nurturing Giant Pumpkins
Once the pumpkin plants have begin to expand , continue with unconstipated feeding and watering . As soon as the vines start producing fruit , pick out two or three of the bountiful one and cut the rest off at the vine . trim the flora allow more nutrients and energy to go directly to the choicest pumpkin vine , enabling them to grow even more significantly .
If you follow these directions and take care to cater ample sun , fertilizer , and water to the plants , harvest home time should bring some of the most tremendous pumpkin plant you have seen . If you are lucky , you could even win a prize at the local fair !
