So You Want to Grow Giant Pumpkins?

Seriously, you think you want to grow giant pumpkins? Well, pack your bags 'cause you're in the wrong state let alone the wrong county! But in all reality, even though you may not be heading for world records in Cache Valley, you CAN grow a pumpkin bigger than your neighbors' and if you take it to the county fair, you just might win a little cash to boot! Make no mistake about it, it's not, "Oh I'll toss some seeds in the garden and see what happens". It's a commitment and depending on what you put in to it, (and a good deal of "luck" and pumpkin genetics) will largely determine what you get out of it.

Here are some books from my personal library I've found helpful in my pumpkin/squash growing endeavors:

World Record Tomatoes, Charles H. Wilbur

Producing Vegetable Crops, Swiader & Ware

How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins II, Don Langevin

How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins, Don Langevin

The Compleat Squash, Amy Goldman

(And yes, the giant tomato plants share similar principles as giant pumpkins and their respective plants.)

But if you're already a giant pumpkin grower, you probably don't need any extra advise.

There are several things I feel compelled to mention at this point.

1.  There is lots of good information and lots of bad information out there. Putting the end of your vines in a cup of milk WILL NOT help your pumpkin grow any bigger. But, if you won last time, hey, whatever makes you feel good inside! If you don't know what you are doing, find GOOD information. Also there are quite a few state extension sites that have solid information about pumpkin growing
2.  Please don't starve your plant. Giant pumpkins grow really fast, use lots of nutrients, and use even more water! Oh yeah, they require lots of sun. Remember that whole photosynthesis thing? Don't plant it in the shade.When was the last time you tried to ration the gas in your car while you were on a cross country road trip or tried to get a nice tan under a tree? Exactly. Don't do it.
3. The other reason these pumpkins grow big is genetics. Yes sir. Genes! Don't plant Jack-Be-Little or Small Sugar and expect large sizes. Whoever grew last year's world record pumpkin probably sold lots of seeds for lots of money! That being said, if everyone in a pumpkin growing contest starts with the same seeds, it could be interesting. A giant little pumpkin contest??? Want a big pumpkin? Plant seeds from big pumpkins.

 Be forewarned "real" giant pumpkin growers can be quite secretive about their growing information, certain "black arts", and other superstitions/science/pseudoscience they may employ.
Now, who's ready to grow a pumpkin bigger than mine?