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upstate NY

I know this answer will be different depending on your experience in grwoing AG's but was just curious as to what others thought.

This is my first year and I have 2 plants with the biggest being just over 400 pounds. I was thinking this was "respectable" but will be dissapointed if I dont break that mark next year.

What are your thoughts?

8/21/2006 12:16:58 PM

Netherlands

400 lbs in your first year is respectable. A 800 lber in Alberta, Canada can be more respectable than a 1100 lber in Ontario, Canada. As you said it all depends on experience and growing conditions.

8/21/2006 1:10:54 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Respectable is any pumpkin you can grow till weigh off and show off. Everyone that does this knows how difficult and at time lucky one needs to be in order to get a giant. I lost one on Sept 18th of last year that at the time was 1002 pounds not bad but it was compost by weigh off, this year tons of rain, floods, and no patch till June for me. I have a couple that are only a few hundred pounds but just the work that had to happen to even get to that point in my book is respectable. Be proud of what ya got, there is more to this whole thing than the weights in my book.

5150 (John)

8/21/2006 1:28:58 PM

[email protected]

If you have fun & learn something along the way, then I respect any pumpkin you grow that you're proud enough to show other people. Whether sitting on your porch for Halloween or sitting on a scale at a weigh-off, if your pumpkin makes people smile then it & your effort is respectable in my book.

8/21/2006 2:33:54 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

All good answers! A 400 lber. is quite impressive to those who have never seen one that large in person. A very respectable first year for you dynia! This is my third year of growing, and a 400 lber still looks quite massive to me.

8/21/2006 3:04:54 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I agree with Steve..any giant pumpkin grown is respectable.

8/21/2006 3:31:27 PM

Midwest

To Shannon, Steve, Doug, John and everyone that has encouraged me... and to Dynia: you all deserve thanks for all your words that make growing any sized pumpkin gratifying. 400 is still in my future and I don't know when that will happen. So, you should be very proud of that pumpkin and cherish the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! No what size or weight, it's nice to know the effort is appreciated by those who have better knowlege and have grown some pretty serious pumpkins!
Congratulation Dynia on a very seriouuusssss pumpkin!
Greg

8/21/2006 4:03:46 PM

Eugene,OR

If I'm becoming a better grower each year, I think that is respectable. Each year I'd like to grow one a little bit bigger than I did the year before.

8/21/2006 4:39:38 PM

Ray, North Dakota

If my biggest pumpkin survives, I will be very happy with its 400+ lbs. Not a world record, but it amazes everyone who walks in my yard to see it.

Glad everyone has a good opinion on this, and yes people respect the hard work you put into just as much as the size.

8/21/2006 5:38:05 PM

Denver, CO

Respectable is any pumpkins that you can show off to your neigbor, brother-in-law, that little brat down the street with the brand new speed boat etc . . and say beat this!

8/21/2006 6:36:35 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I must agree with all of the above. In my first year I grew a 577 lb and a 511 lb and since then have not broken 500 lbs.....still always have the biggest pumpkins in the neighbourhood and sure do get alot of repeat trick-or-treaters every year just to check out the giant pumpkins.

8/21/2006 8:26:24 PM

upstate NY

These are exactly the kind of replies I was hoping for!! Congrats and good luck to everyone.

8/21/2006 11:44:24 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dynia, 2004, I grew store bought AG seeds///210#...dad sent pics to local paper...they printed pics...way cool to know that dad cared so much....that is the best part of this...seeing people smile...specially dad!!!!!!!!! Peace, Wayne

8/22/2006 1:09:52 AM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

My first year 2003 was 24 kg
Second year 2004 was 64 kg
Third year 2005 226 kg
Fourth year 2006: day after tomorrow 300+ kg (667lbs)
Next year 2007 600+ kg? (1334lbs) :D:D:D LOL

2008??? ;-)

8/22/2006 5:35:53 AM

Mocksville, NC

Any fruit that makes it to the certified scales, regardless off weight, is repectable, and you will have earned the respect too! And gain repspect from you fellow growers we know how hard it is to get there! My wife gets a little pissed washing my pants , and shirts 3x a day he he. took (Paps Wallace) ADVISE leave out clean come in late dirty from head to toe, you know you have done all you can do that day!

8/22/2006 5:42:57 AM

Indiana

A lot bigger than anything I have growing....LOL what a year

8/22/2006 12:18:09 PM

Ontario, Canada.

The AGGC defines this as 500 pounds. But anything over 200 takes some work to produce.

8/22/2006 12:37:34 PM

That State Up North

If it is bigger than you can lift by yourself, you have to respect it

8/22/2006 12:47:30 PM

Mocksville, NC

ditto with tom b.

8/22/2006 2:20:27 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Any pumpkin that weighs more than the grower.

8/22/2006 4:47:00 PM

Belgium Europe

What"s a "respectable" weight for a grower?

8/22/2006 4:49:55 PM

Ray, North Dakota

I am 270 and over 6'4, and I need to lose weight. My shape is uglier than my pumpkin.

8/22/2006 5:48:54 PM

Montoursville, PA

Holy cow.....For your information our area now has three of about ten that are still healthy and growing.
.....The ones still growing are all respectable. It tends to get very quiet about this time every year. :)

8/22/2006 6:37:24 PM

Wood River, IL ([email protected])

I don't think I'm going to make it to "respectable" this year.

Kenny

8/22/2006 6:46:30 PM

Whidbey Island

It took me years to hit 400. Ja, you betcha it is respectable.

8/22/2006 9:22:43 PM

Simi valley, ca

I got very lucky my first yr & got 872 , but next yr all split but there was a sm (only to me) pumpkin left & theres a sm but cool weighoff close to me so i brought it & they carryed it to scales & displayed it , it was 96 lbs & it got respect , & was fun!!!

8/23/2006 7:33:45 AM

ordinary,VA

Herbie i got you beat on shape :)
this could be my first year that my pumpkin weighs less than me!!!
true words Steve,John & Roger.
to see my Children & Grandson smile when they go to the pumpkin patch!
the pictures of my grandson inside my 631, he thought the pumpkin was his playhouse.
took us 2 hours to get him out so we could finish carving.
The great people i have met on this site and weigh-offs.
watching the people who come by and look at the pumpkins on display. all the smiles on the childrens faces man it just doesnt get any better than that..
GROWING PUMPKINS IS FUNNNNN

8/23/2006 7:59:28 PM