Growing Organic Non-GMO Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Vegetable Seeds
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How to Grow Atlantic Giant Pumpkin from Seed
Pumpkin can be sown directly after the final spring frost, but for the earliest starts, begin 3- 4 weeks indoors prior. Plant 2-3 seeds 1" deep per cell or, for outdoor sowing, plant atop 8-10" tall mounds of soil every 5-6 ft to accommodate long, heavy trailing vines. Seeds germinate in 4-10 days and are transplanted to composted, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Fertilize the crop every 3 weeks and harvest pumpkins before the autumn frost. Once a few pumpkins begin to show on the vine, pinch off excess vines to inhibit vegetative growth and direct energy toward producing the best pumpkins.
How to Grow Competition-Sized Pumpkins
If you are looking to grow your giant pumpkins as large as possible, you should only allow one pumpkin to grow per plant, which means you'll have to pinch off all other flowers to concentrate growth into the one fruit you've chosen to be your prize winner.
Growing a giant pumpkin from seed requires a significant amount of water. Plan to add at least 1" of water per week if there isn't a significant amount of rain.
Giant pumpkins are heavy feeders that put on weight rapidly once the fruit is set. Be sure to plan a feeding schedule to ensure the plant gets enough nutrients from the soil.
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin in the Vegetable Garden
Pumpkin is a full sun winter squash that thrives in the heat, trailing and vining just like a gourd or cucumber. And like other winter squashes, pumpkin comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes for both ornamental and culinary use. Pumpkins can grow multiple on the vine, but for the largest and most decorative squash, plants can be pruned to force enormous, even competition-size pumpkins just in time for autumn fun.
Giant pumpkins, such as Atlantic Giant, are typically grown for pumpkin competitions. While the tradition began in North America, people all over the globe compete for the world record today.
Even though Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds are usually grown for the enormous size of the fruit, they offer a smooth, creamy flesh that can be used in recipes that call for fresh pumpkin. And, roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious snack.
Harvesting Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Most small to medium pumpkins are ready to harvest 90-100 days from sowing, while larger varieties require an extra few weeks. Atlantic Giant is usually ready to harvest in about 120 days. Regardless of color or size, pumpkins are generally ripe once the stem is solid and the rind is tough, unable to be pierced by a fingernail. Clip pumpkins from the vine with shears, leaving about 4" of stem intact, and, once harvested, leave them out to naturally cure in the sun for 10-14 days. The curing process will help pumpkins last up to 3 months longer after harvesting.
About Organic Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Seeds
C.maxima. (120 days) This is the pumpkin you see on the news around Halloween that takes a forklift to move. Atlantic Giants easily average 400-500 lbs, and with a little tender loving care, you could compete for the record, which is 2009 lbs! Joe Jutras took the world record in 2007 with a 1689-pound Atlantic Giant! The first giant pumpkin ever grown was over 1600 pounds! To put that into perspective, that is half as much as a 2009 Volkswagen Beetle car!!!
Update: The Latest world record winner this year is Ron Wallace, who grew a 2009-pound pumpkin. Ron broke the record in 2006 with his 1502-pound pumpkin. Now six years later, he breaks the record again with the first-ever one-ton vegetable.
Congratulations to Mathias Willemijns of Belgium for his Atlantic Giant pumpkin that weighed in at a world-record setting 2624 lbs!
You won't be doing any "punkin chunkin" with these babies. We know a guy who grows these locally to lease them out to wineries and events around Halloween. He has to move them with a big forklift and transports each one on its own trailer; they are that big!
This is a GREAT project for the kids, most young gardeners, and the young at heart. Wouldn't you get excited about winning the county fair with one of the giant babies!
If you plan on eating the pumpkins grown from Atlantic pumpkin seeds, you can expect the same type of nutritional benefits that come from other types of edible pumpkins. They contain high levels of vitamin A and other vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, especially beta-carotene.
Organic Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Seeds Per Package:
- 8 g - Packet - Approx 20 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approx 80 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approx 330 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approx 1,200 Seeds
- 5 lb - Wholesale - Approx 6,240 Seeds
Organic Non-GMO Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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