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Just how big can a pumpkin get? Try 1,337.6 pounds, or slightly more than a classic Volkswagen beetle. This monster squash was grown in 2002 by Charlie Houghton of Goffstown, New Hampshire. His big 'un won the annual weigh-off in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The top three entries at the Topsfield Fair came from New Hampshire—the three pumpkins averaged 1,234 pounds.
In 1996, Harold Baird of Kinburn, Ontario grew four pumpkins—weighing 774, 686, 652, and 603—on a single vine. That's 2,715 pounds of pumpkin on one plant.
What does it take to grow world-record pumpkins? You need to start with the right variety, plant it in soil that's rich in organic matter, and give it lots of room, water and compost. You'll have to give it plenty of attention. And you need a team of mules to haul it to the scales.
If you want to enter a pumpkin contest next year, start early. "The more competitive growers start their seeds inside and have them ready for transplanting when the plant is in the three-leaf stage," says Howard Dill of Nova Scotia, breeder of 'Dill's Atlantic Giant,' a variety that's produced many world record holders.
But don't start them too early, Dill warns, "because the plant may become spindly and have a weak root structure." Also, bear in mind that "transplanting can stunt pumpkin seedlings' growth." Even under the best conditions, it may take up to two weeks before a transplant finally root in and starts growing.
Whether you start with seeds or seedlings, give them plenty of room to spread out—25 feet from each other. They are vigorous growers and heavy feeders, and good soil is important. Enrich your planting bed with any type of aged or composted animal manure. Dill strongly favors cow manure but other pumpkin growers have used other kinds of manure.
Of the 125 to 130 days it takes to grow a giant pumpkin, "the first 60 are very important," Dill says. "That's when the plant extends itself, flowers begin to appear and the fruit begins to form." To achieve record size pumpkins, you must select one or two of the first few on the vine (typically those with the best shape) and remove the others. Also, pinch off any that form later.
During the second 60 days, the fruit may grow 8 to 20 pounds per day. To fuel that growth, "organic gardeners can feed with manure tea or compost tea after the fruit is set," Dill says. Weekly feeding is essential for growing giant pumpkins.
To become an eye-popping behemoth, your pumpkin has to grow at a good steady rate. So, do everything you can to protect its leaves. They supply nutrients to the stem of the pumpkin. If you're growing in a windy location, plant a few rows of corn around your pumpkin patch to keep the plants from being damaged.
Pumpkin leaves need lots of sun, but direct sunlight on the pumpkin itself will harden its outer skin, limiting its growth. You can construct a shade out of burlap or other lightweight material.
Temperature is important, too. Daytime highs around 80 to 90 degrees F are ideal for growing giant pumpkins, Dill says. Places where the mercury often climbs to 110 degrees F (Georgia, for example) are better suited to growing giant watermelons.
The Formula for Monster Pumpkins
Variety: 'Dill's Atlantic Giant' has set many world records. 'Prizewinner', 'Big Max', or 'Big Moon' also can produce winners. Just don't plan to make a giant pumpkin pie from one of these varieties—they are not much on taste and texture.
Space: Give the vines 25 feet in each direction
Water: Gallons of it, regularly, daily even
Food: Composted cow manure or compost tea, weekly.
Selection: Choose the one, maybe two, best pumpkins on the vine and remove the rest. Pull them off, along with any that set later.
Shade: Protect the pumpkin from direct sunlight—which will cause premature hardening of the outer skin.
