Huge pumpkins! Claire's allotment part 75

[27simber]

hi there i live in australia i love growing veg. this time i am planting the giant. but no one here does that sort of stuff.i love to live where you are, and have fun

[clairesallotment]

When I first got my allotment plot I was the only one who grew pumpkins, now there are loads about. I'm not saying that I've started a trend, but it's great to see more about, and all sorts of varieties to. Maybe you should start a pumpkins trend, get together with neighbours and friends and have a mini competition.

[clairesallotment]

Hi there, glad you're growing the giant pumpkins too. Remember that they are one of the last plants to pick, so they do sometimes look like they're taking ages. Make sure you water them really well. Mine are still quite small and so far no flowers. If you only want to grow 1 pumpkin, then when you have a small fruit the size of a tennis ball then cut the end of the plant off just past it and all the plants energy will go on the 1 fruit.

[MysticRaven10]

Can't wait to see how your pumpkins turn out! I might grow a smaller variety this year but next year I might have a go at these giants!

[clairesallotment]

I'm hoping for a good crop this year, I've lots of other varieties growing this year also. Let me know how you get on with them next year.

[sadia102]

I won't be doing pumpkin until the end of the year but I will enter your competition then. As a newbie I really appreciate the tips about the pointy bits and the knuckle deep. Books don't seem to include the little tips that can make such a difference. Thanks. My raised beds (3 sleepers high) are built and soil goes in today.

[clairesallotment]

Let me know how your pumpkins get on. Railway sleepers make the best raised beds, just wish I could get some free. They're quite expensive over here.

[RedWhiteandBetrayed]

Great idea with the toilet roll... I usually soak my seed in water over night atleast for the big seeds... I dont know if it really helps but i heard it does.... Great video..

[clairesallotment]

Have heard that some people do this, never have myself, maybe it gives them an earlier start I don't know, I'll have to do a little experiment next year.

[socratesx11]

Hi Claire!

I'm cheering the toilet rolls and the pointy bits.

If I plant even one of these in minuscule backyard of raised beds, I would be out of room. Maybe I should rent a garden plot from the county after all. Then I could enter into the fun.

May 1st, was the first day they let people into the allotments, and I did stop by over the weekend to chat with people.

A pumpkin patch and potatoes might be the best use I could make of one of them.

- John in finally warm Minnesota.

[clairesallotment]

Glad spring has finally sprung for you. Pumpkins don't need to take up loads of room. You can wind it round in a circle and when you get one fruit snip off the end. Everyone will be busy down on their plots now.