The Great Pumpkin Contest

Contest Rules:

1: Come into the library April 24-29 and pick up your pre-ordered bio-degradable seed pot pumpkin seedling. Each biodegradable pot contains 2 Connecticut Field pumpkin seeds. This variety is a pre-1700 cultivar of Native American origin. It is popular for large Halloween pumpkins. It grows 15-20 LB and is a slightly ribbed, orange pumpkin that varies in shape and size. It is great for canning, baking, pies, and carving!

2: For best results, plant the entire pot ON or AFTER May 1. Your seedlings have been started with this date for transplanting in mind. The pot isn’t very big and the roots could become rootbound, which will stunt the plant, if not planted soon after pick up.

Videos: Step by Step pumpkin planting and care.

Pumpkins prefer warm soil. (The danger of frost for GA is passed by May 1 and soil temperatures will have started to warm by May 1.) Gently tear the bio-degradable pot to allow the roots to escape. Dig a hole in a FULL SUN bed. (minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight.) The soil of the ground should be level with the soil of the pot.

3: Thin to the strongest seedling to prevent overcrowding. By thinning to the strongest seedling, you are giving that seedling the best chance to thrive. If both are allowed to grow together, they will compete with each other for water and nutrients. Neither plant will thrive under these conditions and produce stunted plants and stunted pumpkins.

Once planted, let it grow and do its thing. It will need some care (water, fertilizer, etc.). Harvest is in about 110 days. So, plan accordingly!

4: Take a picture each month with you and your pumpkin vine/pumpkin. Submit the pictures, with your name and age each month to: ejones@prlib.org.

5: When you harvest your pumpkin, take a final picture with you, your pumpkin, AND show the weight of your pumpkin. Tell us the best thing you liked about growing the pumpkin and the hardest thing. There will be prizes for each age group!