My 2024 Dills Atlantic giant pumpkin growing goals were modest. No world records for me – I wasn’t trying to create the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown dreams about. Not even gunning for a 2,000-pounder; I didn’t want my pumpkin mistaken for a small planet and targeted by NASA. It needed to fit on my trailer!
I simply wanted my pumpkin to be bright orange. I also aimed to grow it organic because nothing says “giving back to the earth,” like a pumpkin that could crush a small car.
I made some changes, hoping for a pumpkin similar to last year’s—perhaps a little larger—just enough to make the neighborhood kids wonder if the Great Pumpkin really did show up this time.
Once again, my season was a cornucopia of luck, disasters, improvements, and new challenges. It was like a soap opera but with more dirt and fewer evil twins.
The gift of growing giant pumpkins is real and delivers every year—much like a pizza place, but with more orange and less cheese. I’m biased, but I recommend everyone try growing a giant in their backyard. It’s unbeatable fun, and hey, if the apocalypse comes, you’ll have the perfect shelter!
Want to figure out how I was able to grow a giant in 2024? Read on.
Giant Pumpkin Growing -Seeds
Pumpkin seeds walk into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve your kind here.” The seeds reply, “Why not? We’re just here to get squashed!”
Giant pumpkin seeds from prize-winning specimens are highly coveted among competitive giant pumpkin growing nuts, with top varieties that come from very large pumpkins commanding premium prices. These seeds typically measure 2-3 inches in length and feature thicker shells than regular pumpkin seeds. The best seeds come from pumpkins weighing over 1,000 pounds and exhibit desirable genetic traits like thick walls, strong stems, and rapid growth patterns. Successful growers often trade or sell seeds from their champion pumpkins, with proven genetics from record-holding specimens, sometimes selling for hundreds of dollars per seed.
Everyone knows that the seed is one of the most important things to start your growing adventure. Seeds, also known as “gourd confetti,” “pumpkin shrapnel,” and “autumn belly buttons,” are where it is at. Genetics is the key…
My pumpkin last year was a bright orange 956-pound orb named “Hue.” Hue didn’t disappoint. The color was out of this world. My battle to find the right seed was easy this year. I used Hue spawn for my source! Because I didn’t blow several hundred dollars on seeds at a seed auction, I had money left for other fun. Plus, instead of getting one or two prized seeds to start with, I had plenty for experimentation.
Germination
Attention, aspiring pumpkin parents! Before you embark on your gourd-geous journey, it’s time to give your seeds a little filing. Yep, that’s correct. Many pumpkin growers file their seeds before germination! Rumor has it that giving your pumpkin seeds a manicure can help them sprout faster. Just grab your trusty nail file and gently buff those seed edges. It’s like removing their tiny seed sweaters so they can slip into something more comfortable—like soil!
But remember seed stylists, avoid filing the pointy end. That’s the seed’s VIP exit, where the roots plan their great escape. So, there you have it – the secret to seed success is just a file away. Who knew gardening could be so nail-biting? Just don’t get too carried away, or you might find yourself opening a seed salon. “Seed-y Nails: Where Every Pumpkin Gets Pampered!”
Now for the real deal. Although I have conducted experiments to compare the germination rates of filed and un-filed seeds, I have not observed any noticeable difference. Despite this, I continue to file the edges of my seeds every year and test the effectiveness of filing by comparing germination rates between filed and not-filed seeds. So far, I have not found any difference, but I feel really good about pampering my seeds with some love.
We are not done yet! You need to immerse your seeds in a seawater jacuzzi. In addition to filing, it is recommended to soak your seeds in warm water or a mild seaweed solution. The recommended soaking times range between 30 minutes and 24 hours. Personally, I prefer to soak my seeds for one hour in a mild seaweed solution. Give this a try and “sea” what you get. For a good description of seed germination, see my book, Backyard Big: Growing Atlantic Giant Pumpkins in Your Backyard.
This might sound scandalous, but this year, I decided to step away from my beloved plastic bag germination technique—yes, I’m a bagger by nature! Instead, I went rogue and planted my seeds directly in the soil. What was I thinking? I felt like a rebellious teenager sneaking out at night! But fear not, I discovered that my seeds actually liked it better in little red cups filled with moist soil! It’s like they were throwing a party while I was out worrying about plastic bags. Who knew seeds had such a wild side? Next year, I might even let them plant themselves!
I don’t have enough space to include all the details, but here’s a quick summary: Start by placing seeds in moist soil. Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a germination cover, and maintain a temperature of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately three to five days, once the seeds have developed a few leaves, carefully transfer them to a larger pot. That’s the gist of it!
Check out my blog about using a grow tent to germinate your seeds.
Grow a Giant Pumpkin – Planting and Growing
When should I plant my pumpkin? Well, most giant pumpkin growing types around here seem to agree on late April or early May. You want to get that little orange diva in the ground early enough—give it at least 90 days to grow, or you’ll just end up with a squash that looks like it skipped leg day. So, plant early, water often, and maybe talk to it—you know, to encourage it to really “pumpkin up!”
I will skip over several details, and I recommend looking online or visiting my blog for more information. Better yet, consider purchasing my book for all the details—I am not too proud to say so. First, let’s talk irrigation.
In yet another year of scandal, I decided to use drip irrigation instead of overhead watering. I know, I am getting crazy. This meant that I had drip tape and hosting in addition to a misting system. It was like a complex spider web in the patch. The drip irrigation worked well once I got it set up. In my opinion, it delivered more water to the roots than overhead.
Throughout the entire growing season, I employed shade cloth to shield my pumpkin plant from the relentless sun, essentially giving it a stylish sun hat for those heat waves. I am sure the neighbors enjoyed the pretty hat. This crucial move saved my pumpkin from a heat-induced meltdown because, let’s face it, a wilted pumpkin is just sad.
As the season progressed, I took the time to bury the sprawling vines. I figured it might help with root development and stability, not to mention it gave those vines a cozy little spot to chill. I even went all gardener-on-a-mission and pruned any unnecessary growth. If my pumpkin wanted to focus on producing larger siblings, it needed to send its “leave the drama” memo loud and clear!
See what I did in previous years and what I recommend doing to be a giant pumpkin growing pro on my blog. How to Grow a Pumpkin Plant in Your Backyard Oasis. Giant Pumpkins Unearthed: Soil Strategies for Spectacular Growth. Learn how to grow giant pumpkins!
Growing a Giant Pumpkin Organically
I decided to stick with my old faithful fertilizing and soil-building technique—cow manure. There’s just something about spreading that rich, earthy goodness that feels like gardening’s version of a secret handshake. Nothing says “I love my plants” like a good ol’ pile of cow poop in the backyard, right? And the smell? Oh boy, it’s an experience! Don’t forget to move and spread the manure when your spouse is gone. Clean everything up by the time they get home and blame the smell on “changing air patterns and dairies.”
I meticulously prepared batches of supercharged compost tea every few weeks, each totaling 30 gallons. To my tea concoction, I added Nature’s Brix and Green Aminos by GreenGro Organics, some fulvic acid, and some fish fertilizer. Additionally, to enhance soil health further, I incorporated fulvic and humic acid into my drip irrigation system. I want to stay as organic as possible, as I only have one patch and want my soil to be alive!
I diligently watered my plants using a drip irrigation system every day to ensure they received a consistent supply of moisture. During particularly hot days, when temperatures soared above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, I took extra care to mist the leaves, providing them with additional humidity and helping to cool them down. Additionally, I sprayed a kelp solution at least weekly.
Pollination and Gourd Growth in the Pumpkin Patch
I planted it on April 27, 2024, and immediately watered it with seaweed and fulvic acid. It grew quickly, and I discovered my first squash bug on May 19, 2024. Thus began my battle against the squash bugs nearly a month earlier than last year.
I self-pollinated a female flower located 13 feet from the main stump of the primary vine, mirroring the position of last year’s pumpkin. I noticed some powdery mildew in early June and introduced Reliant, a systemic fungicide, for control on June 18, 2024. The pumpkin began growing rapidly and exceeded 200 pounds by July 20, 2024. To provide a nitrogen boost, I added bone and blood meals, and I continued using compost tea and fulvic acid.
Then, in late July, the aphid invasion struck like a bad reality TV show—relentless and full of drama! I tried insecticidal soap, thinking I was treating them to a luxurious spa day, but they just laughed and asked for extra bubbles. Next, I pulled out the big gun, Talstar, and got a tiny bit of improvement, but the aphids acted like it was a mere sprinkle of rain at a pool party.
In the end, I had to admit defeat—I was like a gardener in a soap opera with an enemy I couldn’t defeat. So, for next year, I’m going full-on “nuclear control”! Get ready, you little green devils—next season, I’m coming in with an extermination plan so extreme even the aphids will consider getting their own real estate license!
Bright Orange!
Every day, I found myself kneeling in the garden like a modern-day gardener’s version of “Mission Impossible.” Out came the measuring tape and my trusty pumpkin logbook. I’d squint at my giant pumpkin, feeling like a mad scientist who finally cracked the code for world domination—except my only goal was to grow a gourd big enough to fit in my trailer. I felt like a proud parent, excited that my pumpkin was looking like a shining star.
I considered two pumpkin weigh-off choices for my beauty to glow. First, there was the National Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Wheatland, California. This was the weigh-off of my home pumpkin club, California Pumpkin Growers. However, it was a two-hour drive. My second choice was the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival, which is 25 minutes from my patch.
Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival
The time was now. It was the giant pumpkin growing weigh-off. It was a sweltering hot day, and I found myself chasing shade like a cat chasing a laser pointer. After my pumpkin was unloaded and plopped under the tent for the glory of the weigh-off, I had nothing but time to spiral into a jelly-like state of nervousness about my gourd.
This year, I decided against giving my pumpkin a thorough wash; the last thing I needed was to be accused of using some fancy foreign pumpkin soap. I gave it a quick wipe with a damp cloth—taking “minimalism” to a whole new level.
Finally, after sitting and watching for several hours, my pumpkin was about to get its final inspection and be weighed. I strutted up to the stage, ready to dazzle the crowd with my sparkling personality and introduce my pumpkin, only to be interrupted by the loudspeaker blaring, “Excuse me, sir, please wait for them to finish loading!” Well, that felt about as comfortable as a porcupine in a balloon factory! I guess they didn’t know I’m practically a pumpkin unloading expert.
My pumpkin passed the rigorous safety inspection, which was a huge relief. Next up, it was time for the scale, and I felt like I was sending my child off to their first day of school.
But then there it sat. The scale showed 1,073 pounds. My pumpkin, as still as a sloth on a Sunday, and I began to wonder if it was auditioning for a role in the world’s most boring drama. It just sat there, and I started thinking maybe it was contemplating the meaning of life. Should I try and approach the stage again?
Finally, the loudspeaker crackled to life. “Oh, that is a pretty pumpkin,” it said. Just like that, my hopes for a grand announcement evaporated.
Then I heard, “By the way, you can vote for the prettiest pumpkin by going to the signs on either side of the stage and clicking the QR code.” That was all she wrote.
More pumpkins were brought to the stage to be weighed after me. They were mostly much larger but also much uglier. Then it was over, and we sat and waited for the awards. By that time, I was a sweaty, sloppy mess.
Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for: the “Prettiest Pumpkin” award. The loudspeaker boomed, “And the Prettiest Pumpkin Award goes to… Jeff McLain?” Everyone in the crowd turned to look at me as if I’d just landed from Mars. I mean, come on, I was just trying to blend in – how was I supposed to compete with a pumpkin that practically had its own Instagram account?
I walked up front, half-expecting the loudspeaker to yell, “Stop right there!” I grabbed my plaque and they made me shake hands with someone who looked like they didn’t know what a pumpkin was. I knew right away that the picture wouldn’t work; my arm was crossed the wrong way like I was trying to block a bad joke. Did they offer to redo the pic? Nope! They just shuffled me along as if I was a contestant on a game show and the prize was being awkward.
But hey, at least I won the Howard Dill award for the prettiest pumpkin! Just think, my pumpkin is now officially more popular than I am. It was great—though I have to admit, the pumpkin was really the one who deserved all the attention. I mean, who doesn’t love a good gourd?
