By Amy-Lynn Albertson
N.C. Cooperative Extension

One of the most enjoyable things about the fair is the biggest pumpkin and watermelon competition. While it’s too late to plant your pumpkins for the fair this year, you can start planning for next year’s competition. It takes a lot of time and care to grow a giant pumpkin, but it can be a lot of fun, and the payoff can be significant. Giant pumpkin seeds need time to be put in the correct size. Most varieties ripen within 120 days or four months, and some ripen faster than 100 days. Giving your pumpkins space is essential to get sun exposure on all sides. Ideally, give each plant 800 square feet to grow, which sounds like a lot, but the vine needs a lot of space to grow if you want a giant pumpkin. Make sure you choose the suitable cultivars; some pumpkin varieties grow more giant pumpkins than others. Also, keep in mind these pumpkins are not meant to be eaten. Any pumpkin over 50 pounds is not going to taste very good.

Biggest pumpkin cultivars

• ‘Prizewinner’ is a round hybrid variety with excellent deep orange color. It can grow up to 300 pounds and usually reaches at least 100 pounds. (It matures in 120 days.) This variety is known for its consistent size and shape, making it a popular choice among giant pumpkin growers.
• ‘Atlantic Giant’ is a patented variety developed by a giant pumpkin enthusiast. The flesh is pink to orange, often reaching 300 pounds. It can quickly grow larger. (It matures in 125 days.)
• ‘Big Moon’ is a pale orange variety that can grow up to 200 pounds, though its shape can be somewhat irregular compared to others. (Mature in 120 days.)
• ‘Big Max’ is a giant heirloom squash pumpkin with flesh that ranges from pale to dark orange. It can grow between 100 and 300 pounds. (Matures in 125 days.)
• ‘Jaune de Paris’ is a bright yellow oval pumpkin that can get up to 100 pounds. It is great for carving and decorating as well. (Matures in 100 days.)

To get your pumpkins growing, start them in small peat pots with potting soil. Or plant directly in the field in late May. Transplant your seedlings outdoors after 14 days. Once your pumpkins start growing, you will selectively prune some of the fruits so the plant’s energy will allow a smaller number to grow. Some growers say to wait until the fruit reaches a baseball size, then choose 3 to 4 with the best overall shape and snip the rest. Fertilize your pumpkin vine carefully, and do a soil test before planting so your pre-plant fertilizer will be correct. Once your fruit starts forming, fertilize with a 2-3-6 fertilizer ratio per 1,000 square feet for the growing season. Pumpkins can grow fast as the season goes on and put on as much as 30 pounds of water weight daily. Pumpkins need lots of water, but it is critical not to overwater them. Water when the surface of the soil by the center of the plant is dry enough that the soil feels moist but not wet. Pumpkins have three different vines: the primary, secondary and tertiary vines that grow off the runners. Pruning your pumpkin vines is essential to helping your giant pumpkin put on size. Trim the main vine when it reaches 10 and 15 feet long from the center of the plant at the end of the fine. Next, trim the secondary vines or runners when they reach 10 feet long. The tertiary vines should be cut as soon as you see them. You must check your pumpkin daily as the vines will grow fast. If you have been growing a big pumpkin this year, now is the time to enter your pumpkin or any other item you wish to enter for the Rowan County Fair. All entries must be entered online at https://rowancounty.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/19623 by Sept. 3. Please call the Extension office at 704-216-8970, and we can help you.

Amy-Lynn Albertson is director of the Rowan County Extension.