How to Pick the Perfect Pumpkin – Whether you are going out to a pumpkin patch, or to a roadside stand, see our tips on how to select the absolutely perfect one for your front porch and other decorating needs. But, don’t get just one. Rather, get several. Carve and decorate some of them. And, leave others uncarved. After Halloween, you can decorate your home with them all the way up to Thanksgiving. Then, you can use a few of them in recipes for your Thanksgiving dessert tray.
Without a doubt, you have arrived at the biggest and best pumpkin website on the planet. As a matter of fact, it’s the biggest and best in the known universe. We are glad you are here. Certainly, you will enjoy the experience and find all of the information you are looking for. And of course, a whole lot more!
How to Grow Information
Find information and articles on how to grow from preparing the garden and planting seeds to harvesting and storage. There’s more in-depth growing information than any other source, online or off. So, armed with this in-depth how-to-grow guide, you’re ready to have a record-setting gardening season. How to Grow
Giant Pumpkins
Learn how to grow them to record-setting weights. See and read about the world record weight. And, speaking of world records, there are records for more than just weight. Find an official weigh-off near you. How to Grow Giant, Record-Setting Pumpkins.
The Biggest Collection of Pumpkin Recipes Anywhere
Pick a recipe or two to try from the biggest pumpkin recipe collection anywhere. But, that’s not all. You’ll find Fall and Halloween recipes here, too! And, while you’re at it, send along your favorite recipe to add to the collection. Of course, we will give you proper credit and recognition. Grab one of our recipes now.
Holiday Connections
Our beloved orange orb is undeniably a big part of many holidays. They take centerstage and glow with pride on your front porch on Halloween Night. Then, we use them for decorating for Thanksgiving. And, we enjoy them on the dessert tray. But, that’s not all. There are several other pumpkin-themed holidays, too. Find all of the Pumpkin Holidays.
Ask any kid, and he or she will tell you they want a big, big pumpkin. So, you must deliver. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and you have), is to fuel the growth of your fruit to produce the biggest ones you've ever seen. This translates into lots of fertilizer and a constant supply of water. Also, late in the season, you need to be diligent and guard against insects and plant disease, especially powdery mildew.
Keep your patch well watered.
First, turn over a spadeful of soil near the plant. Is it moist down several inches? Great! If not, pour on the water! More on watering your plants.
Add a layer of compost.
Compost feeds the plant. And, it helps to retain soil moisture. It helps to keep weeds down, too.
Big pumpkins have big appetites.
Use regular applications of fertilizer. And, know your types of fertilizer. The ideal fertilizer mixture varies as the season progresses. More on fertilizers.
Tender loving care.
Maintain the health of your plants. Keep a vigilant eye for insect problems and plant disease. Then, apply insecticides and fungicides before problems arise.
Cover the vines with garden soil.
This promotes secondary root growth, and results in much bigger pumpkins. How to promote secondary root growth.
How to grow pumpkins.
From seed selection and planting, step by step through the growing season and on to harvest, get more on how to grow 'em big!.
For the record, to date the largest pumpkin ever grown is 2,749 pounds (shown above). It was grown by Travis Giener. He brought his behemoth to the 50th annual Safeway World Championship Weigh-off on October 9, 2023. Will this record, or other records, be broken in the next few weeks? We certainly hope so. And maybe you will be the one to break a world record. Obviously, that’s what this gigantic hobby all about!
Find Fall Festivals and Weigh-offs – Most giant pumpkin weigh-offs are held from late September to early October. However, some weigh-offs occur in late August. And, they are usually an important part of a Fall festival. The festivals and weigh-offs will arrive all too soon. So, make plans now to attend one or two of them.
List your weigh-off – Finding and compiling information on weigh-offs is a lot of work. Therefore, if you are an organizer, or have information about a local weigh-off, please let us know.
There are all kinds of Fall festivals. And almost always pumpkins play a major role. In addition to giant pumpkin weigh-offs you’ll find them in displays, arts and crafts, at food booths, and much more.
One of the more interesting Fall festivals we’ve attended is the annual Giant Pumpkin Boat Regatta in Damariscotta, Maine. First, they hold a weigh-off. Next, the behemoths are hollowed out, carved into a boat, and decorated. Then, contestants race them in the water. The waterfront crowd is huge. So, plan to arrive early for a good viewing spot. In addition, dozens of giants are made into highly creative art displays lining the main street of the village. Don’t miss the Pumpkin Boat Regatta!
Is it fact or fiction!?!
In fact, this question is frequently asked when growing pumpkins. We focus on providing the ideal conditions for maximizing the weight of the fruit. Will feeding milk to the plants plants result in bigger fruit?
Pumpkins are everywhere!
We've discovered pumpkins growing on six of seven continents, all except Antarctica. Like you, gardeners of the world grow them for food and for fun. Can you guess where this pumpkin patch is?
Growing pumpkins is fun.
Like other gardening activities, researchers tell us that growing pumpkns is therapeutic. Eating pumpkins is healthy for you, too. So, add a little pumpkin to your diet all year long.
Quote of the Day:
To err is human, a pumpkin is 'Da Vine!
Todays Quiz Question:
Which colors are pumpkin colors?
Aside from giant pumpkins, most varieties can be sowed directly into your garden, if you have enough frost free days. Find out more
You are experiencing poor pollination. It's pretty common. Here's how to assure pollination. Find out more
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed well over a ton. There's a lot of other amazing pumpkin records too. See them
There's many festivals and weigh-off sites all over the U.S., and Canada. And, many others around the world, too. Find one near you
Growing them is a lot of fun. Like other gardening activities, researchers tell us it’s therapeutic. Eating them is healthy for you. Add a little pumpkin to your diet all year long.
More on Pumpkins and Your Health
We’ve got the largest collection of pumpkin recipes anywhere! See a plethora of recipes in Pumpkin Nook’s Cookbook
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In addition to our website, our sister site The Gardener's Network is also on Facebook - Read about gardening happenings and your favorite plants, too. What's more, we'd like to hear from you. Leave garden related comments. Above all, share a picture of your prize winning pumpkin or roses. Like us on Facebook.
Let's Talk Gardening and Pumpkin Growing! Without a doubt, site visitors want to talk about gardening, read seasonal appropriate articles about gardening, or share some pictures of your garden.? Join in on the fun, visit the garden blog!
