Preparing soil for giant pumpkin?

[deltz]

I am growing the atlantic giant for the first time and need to prepare the mixture for the plant.

I am going to grow it in a 180 litre recycled grow bag and im going to use the compost from the B and Q grow bags only. I was wondering what other fertiliser I should add in to improve the size of the pumpkin, there is no local farms so I dont think I can get any proper manure.

From B and Q they are selling the:
Chicken manure: B&Q Chicken Pellets 10Kg Tub, 0000003835050

Farmyard manure: B&Q Farmyard Manure 50ltrs, 0000003747209

Organic living soil improverer: B&Q Organic Living Soil Improver 75 Litres, 0000003723203


Which one do you guys recommend I should use and how much of it?

[ginger ninger]

As far as I know Chicken poo has lot's of nitrogen in it which is good if you want lot's of green leaves. Is there a farm with horses near you if there is why don't you ask them if you could have some well rotted horse poo, mix that in with some compost and you've got a 5* hotel for your pumpkin.

[Jeanied]

I planted mine in a good scoop of blended farmyard manure / compost, bought in the bag. One of my photo albums has the result - watering was a key feature too. Put a stake in where you plant the pumpkin so you can aim the jet of water where it will do the most good.

[deltz]

Thats the problem I have, Im deep in london and only lots and lots buildings around me

[bridget mc laughlin]

Is there not even any horse stables anywhere near you

[Jeanied]

Deltz - nowhere near the Royal Mews? Just joking.
A bag of composted manure should do around 4 plants.

[northepaul]

You can buy farmyard manure from Homebase - I used it on my strawberry bed.

[deltz]

Jeanied are you talking about the Farmyard manure from B&Q combined with my compost or is that totally different?

[Jeanied]

Deltz mine was from Wyevale but I do remember it said blended farmyard manure on the bag. I'm sure yours is just about the same kind of stuff and it says on your link that it can be used to grow in direct. So scoop out an area for it, bung some in and grow your pumpkin in that. I made mounds of the stuff but that got washed away by the watering which is why I added the tip about the stake.

[deltz]

Thanks very much for the time to reply, would I mix it togehter with the compost or make a hole, pour some and plant the pumpkin plant within that so the roots are only touching the manure?

Thanks again!

[Jeanied]

I would mix it Deltz so the planting hole is compost and manure mixed together.

[deltz]

Can't thank you enough, will be poping down to B and Q tomorow then! Hopefully I should have some large pumpkins to feast on!