Anyone read Don Langevin's pumpkin books?

[Growem]

I really fancy trying to grow a BIG pumpkin this year. Not that I have any experience or expect to get the UK record anytime soon, I think it would just be fun. Being the type of person who likes to read up on these things, I've seen that Don Langevin seems to be the expert when it comes to books. Has anyone read his books? He has 3 of them out there, are they all as good as the next or is one better than the others? Anyone have a copy sitting and collecting dust that they would be willing to part with? I can buy a copy of course, but there's no harm in asking either.

[Growem]

I'm going to shamelessly bump this up for the daytime reading crowd...

[Matt.]

I missed this thread before but seeing as you got no answers I thought I'd reply. I haven't read the books but I know they are a great source of information. I have found a specialist forum useful in the past: BigPumpkins.com Home Page

Here you'll find dairies and info from the biggest growers in the US and UK. If you're serious about growing big make sure you get the right seed not just any old "Dill's Atlantic Giant". You want to get sowing in the next couple of weeks.

[Growem]

Thanks for your reply Matt. I think for this year I'm just going to practice growing techniques and maybe next season go for broke with expensive seed and such. The ground where I'm thinking of putting the pumpkin hasn't been prepared in any way; it's the half of my allotment that hasn't been used in several years, so I wouldn't expect anything of miraculous size to come out of it. I found the bigpumpkin website too, so I have been reading it with interest. Do you grow big ones yourself Matt? Gosh, that question sounds so much ruder than it really is!

EDIT: Aha, I just looked at your blog, I look forward to updates!

[maytreefrannie]

I'm hoping to grow a pumpkin this year to surprise my grandchildren. I haven't told them in case it doesn't grow.

I heard on that garden show about allotments, a man who had big success with pumpkins said that when they reached a certain size, he fed it beer every day, two pints I think. Also, it was recommended to leave only one or two pumpkins on the plant, to give maximum chance for growth.

[Matt.]

Go for it this year what have you got to lose? You don't need to prepare the ground much just dig a pit 3'x3' and add some compost. You can then prepare the ground ahead of the pumpkin as it grows.

As for seeds you don't need to spend hardly any money. I'd post a request on the pumpkin website asking for free seeds. Usually you send a SAE and you get back some seeds. You may get a response from the Uk growers. If not you might have to pay international postage to America and back.

They key thing with growing gaint pumpkins is water. You need loads and loads of the stuff to grow really big. Last year I grew one to 60kg but i just couldn't get it enough water on a daily basis. Those that can grow 500kg plus generally have automated systems spraying 100's of litres a day.

I'm going to have another go this year and will be sowing my two seeds very soon. I'll try and keep the blog updated although its been ages since I last posted anything!!

[Growem]

Thanks Matt. I just joined the forum and already have some seed getting sent to me later this week!