Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Growing - anyone?

[cwgardenservices]

I thought it would interesting to see if anyone else is trying to grow Atlantic Giants in the uk. I know a few are but i thought it would be good to get tips to share on here if you are.

Its our 2nd year of growing them . We have a little village comp. and we won 1st year but only with a 98lb one ( it didnt to do well as the weather was a bit odd. )

this year we have genuine AG's straight from howard dills farm in usa. ( big heavy hitters )

plus we have only grown outside and our weather is not as hot as usa so this year we are growing in a poly tunnel

hope to be a lot bigger 500 lb would be fab

[vicky]

I'm growing them again this year. Last year was dissappointing for pumpkins in general with the cool summer, fingers crossed this time - mine are outside too.
I also won the villiage show last year for my heaviest pumpkin but it was a Big Max that I entered not the AG, although it made a great halloween carving.
I usually dig out a 2x2ft pit and fill it with the rottenest compost I can find, I'm on sandy soil so need lots of bulk in the soil, I also restricted to one fruit per plant for those I wanted to grow big. (not that much helped last year!)

[Kleftiwallah]

We had a pumpkin growing comp' in the local pub using an approved variety donated by a seed merchant. It was medium sized so you didn't need a spare 4 or 5 acres to grow it. I withdrew from the competition which I had won occasionally when someone brought in an Atlantic Giant and the committee were too timid to exclude it as it was plain that it was not of the approved variety. Cheers, Tony

Tip. search along the runners and there will be auxiliary roots growing from where the leaves are, ensure this root is covered and fed. Good luck.

[veg man]

Hi i am going to grow them this year not to sure on the name as i split the pack with my daughter, giant pumpkins is what i wrote on the packet i kept any tips would be gratefully received.

[cwgardenservices]

Hi every one nice to see a few are going to grow them.

Its great fun and the kids love it too
On the down side they do take a lot of space as im going to grow 3 Heavy hitters and each has to have about a 20ft x 15ft plot.

we have always dug a hole 4ft x4 ft x 2 ft deep and filled with well rotted cow manure and other slow general ferts.

I normally start seeds off in 3 litre pots in green house around april first week.

then plant out when frost gone but cover them with mini clouch to kick start them.

i train the tera viens off main vien in xmas tree format if that makes sence.
Dont get any xmas trees tho...lol

they are also very heavy feeders and plenty of drip drip water slowly does it tho dont go mad say every other 2-3 days if no rain and a good fert plan im sure i can get a spread sheet for feeding if any one is interested.

[Florence Fennel]

I was disappointed with all my pumpkins last year. Hopefully better this year.

[snakeshack]

probably not going to grow atlantic giant this year as I still have an 80 pound one sitting in the front room that nobody wants to eat and I already have enough pumpkin chutney to last about 5 years

[allotment grower]

pumpkin links and advise you need...

The best site to visit is big pumpkin.com.. everything you need to know how to grow giant pumpkins... BigPumpkins.com: A Giant Pumpkin Growing Community

i will be growing them this year i have some seed availible to share..


you need proper seed to grow them big not a packet of alantic giant as they will only grow approx to a medium size...

[allotment grower]

a giant vegetable show for 2012. giant pumpkins, giant marrows,onions , leeks.