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Niagara Falls,NY

My patch is about 45ftx65ft.I usually plant 6 plants-20x20 plots.This is 400sqft.I notice that some of the growers of very large pumpkins plant in bigger plots.650,750,even 1,000sq ft.Does the larger plant size make a difference? Also does having more plant before the fruit make a difference? Right now I have about 300 sq ft of plant before the fruit (20w x 15long) by going say 30w x 18 long would give 540 sq ft before fruit.Would this result in a larger pumpkin? Or should I just stay with my 20x20?

9/18/2010 8:14:58 PM

Springfield, VT

Plot size really depends on soil and sun conditions. A smaller plant can grow large pumpkins if the soil is really good. When I upped the plot size from about 400 sq ft to 600+ sq ft my pumpkin sizes also went up, first year with the larger plot size pumpkins went over 1000lbs.

9/19/2010 7:38:32 PM

Niagara Falls,NY

Thanks for the input.Sounds like going a little bigger helped out.Great to hear from a Vermont grower.I used to live near White River Junction.

9/19/2010 9:20:44 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

sun and soil are really the top two predictors. Several people have grown a 1,000 pound pumpkin in less the 200 sq. feet.

9/19/2010 10:02:01 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I personally go with around 750 square feet. With my patch in a deep valley, I lose the early morning and late evening sun. So I want a bigger leaf area to make the most of the sun when I get it.

Longmont Pete grows huge pumpkins in a small area next to his house. And he has to fight with the harsh Colorado climate. So there is more to it than just patch size.

9/20/2010 1:34:08 PM