October is the time of year for pumpkins!!
Get Growing
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 Pumpkin 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!
When we think of pumpkin holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving quickly come to mind. But, that’s far from all of the holidays that celebrate this amazing fruit. In fact, there are several pumpkin-themed holidays. Even at Christmas, pumpkin pie is a featured dessert. And, there are two holiday songs which contain lyrics where we sing about them.
Additionally, there are several more holidays where we get into the fun of enjoying or playing with them in some way. So, let’s make plans to celebrate all of them.
Welcome to our Halloween Party. We’ve got facts, fun, trivia, scary stuff, and even more scary stuff.
Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas for your Pumpkin Carving party and your Halloween party. In fact, we have the world’s largest collection of pumpkin and Halloween recipes.
How to Pick the Perfect Pumpkin – Whether you are going out to a pumpkin patch, or to a roadside stand, see our tips on selecting the absolutely perfect pumpkin. This is a fun ad exciting event for the whole family. Importantly, read our article before you go.
The weather is getting cooler. The pumpkins are ripe. With Fall in the air, it’s the perfect time to return to cooking and baking. Indeed, you can almost smell the pumpkin pie spice, bringing your thoughts to making pies, cookies, breads, and more. We’ve got an enormous collection of recipes for you to make, that family and friends will just love. And, we’ve got a huge collection of Halloween recipes, too. So, grab a recipe from our Cookbook now!
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. Also, be diligent and guard against insects and plant disease, especially powdery mildew.
Keep your patch well watered.
First, turn over a spadeful of soil. Is it moist down several inches? If not, your plant needs water. More on watering your plants.
Add a layer of compost.
This feeds the plant and it helps to retain soil moisture. And, it helps to keep weeds down, too.
Big pumpkins have big appetites.
Apply fertilizer regularily. Uneven amounts of fertilizer in the soil can harm plant development. And, it may cause your fruit to ripen before gaining a lot of weight.More on fertilizers.
Tender loving care.
First and foremost, maintain the health of your plants. Keep a vigilant eye for insect problems and plant disease. Apply insecticides and fungicides before problems arise.
Cover the vines with garden soil.
It promotes secondary root growth, and results in much bigger fruit.
How to grow pumpkins.
Get more on how to grow pumpkins.
There are all kinds of Fall festivals. And as a matter of fact, they 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. Furthermore, 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 during the festival. Certainly don’t miss the Pumpkin Boat Regatta!
Is it fact or fiction!?!
These questions are often asked by growers and visitors to our site.
Pumpkins are everywhere!
We've discovered them 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 its therapeutic. Eating pumpkins is healthy for you. 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?
October is a pumpkin's time to shine in a big and hefty way. During late-September thru mid Novenber, Fall weigh-offs are held around the United States and Canada. There are even weighoffs in other countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Will the almost annual smashing of the world record weight happen again this year? we'll just have to wait and see.
Find Fall Festivals and Weigh offs - some are held late August.
List your weigh off - Finding information on weigh offs and festivals is a lot of work. Therefore, if you are an organizer, or have information about a local weigh off, please let us know. Email your site's Weigh off dates and the results.
Years Online
Recipes
Cookbooks
Our Network
In addition to our website, our sister site Gardener's Net News is also on Facebook. Read about gardening happenings and your favorite plants. Leave garden related comments. Also, share a picture of your prize winning pumpkin or roses. Like us on Facebook.
Let's Talk Gardening and Growing! Do you want to talk about gardening, read seasonal appropriate articles about gardening/ Or for example, share some pictures of your garden? Then, join in on the fun, visit the garden blog!
Aside from giant varieties, most varieties can be sowed directly into your garden, if you have enough frost free days. Above all, remember to use fresh, viable seeds. Find out more
You are experiencing poor pollination. And, 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 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. Find one near you
Undoubtedly, you quickly learn that growing them is a lot of fun. Like other gardening activities, researchers tell us its therapeutic. Eating pumpkins is healthy for you, too. Thus, add a little pumpkin to your diet all year long.
More on Pumpkins and Your Health
See a plethora of recipes in Our Cookbook
