Pumpkin : Dill's Atlantic Giant
Vegetable
- Cropping: 120 Days
- Ideal for: Children
Description
Using Atlantic Giant growers have produced monster pumpkins weighing over 600 lbs, and it holds the Canadian and American records for size 'and weight. Even if you don't want to produce a 'record breaker', it is excellent for delicious long standing pumpkins for pies, carving Jack O'Lanterns, etc.
Sowing Instructions
| Sowing time: | mid spring. |
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| Sowing depth: | 6mm (¼in) |
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Sow singly in 7.5cm (3in) pots of good compost. Germination usually takes 3-12 days at 20-24C (70-75F). Grow in warm, well lit conditions, and keep well fed.
Growing Instructions
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft) apart when the weather is warm. Plant in a warm sheltered spot in full sun and rich soil which has had plenty of well rotted compost dug in.
Aftercare Instructions
For Exhibition Pumpkins, plant 2-4m (8ft) or more apart. Pollinating the flowers is helpful. Allow only 3 pumpkins per plant and finally single out to leave the best. Water liberally and feed regularly, placing a tile under the fruit to keep it clear of the soil. In autumn lift the pumpkin with some vine attached and leave in a sunny spot sheltered from rain to ripen off completely. Better results can be achieved by growing in a cold frame, spray daily and keep well ventilated until late June when the cold frame cover can be removed entirely.
