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Hi, not in the league of serious growers, but I have habitually planted pumpkins in my inlaws manure heap. This year I am working at a barn, and the children of our first giant pumpkin have gone wild. Instead of a few 30-40 pounders we have about 15 that I am estimating 100+ lbs. They are going to market to benefit a rescue horse.

The original giant pumpkin was 116 lbs and was lifted into my Mini Cooper by twoguys using a burlap sack as a sling. If the pumpkins are only traveling a couple of miles, would they be okay just wrapped in burlap?

I guess we will price them using an estimated weight, as just moving them is going to be quite challenging enough.

Any tips on how to handle them and preparations for market such as how to cut the stem, how to seal it, things of that nature, appreciated.

I am also curious as to the genetic variation amongst the three plants that have produced. The first are classic round orange "pumpkins" (all are really Big Macs) the second produced the big-ribbed, lounging type with a mottled skin, and the third produced a very flat orange fruit with a little orange and white cap. Which type would be best to save seed from?

9/22/2006 12:51:01 AM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

A blue or green tarp folded in half will work just fine for carrying the size fruit you are speaking of. As far as transport, you might want to find someone with a truck and a few pallets. A couple bails of hay between the fruit and the truck bed would keep them from rolling around and causing any damage. The key is to be careful, even 100# fruit can cause damage or hurt someone.

9/22/2006 6:06:23 AM

Mocksville, NC

and wipe them down with 10% or more clorox , water they will store longer, and dont put them on a hard surface, being a big max the stem will dry up like paper so make sure you hit that area too with bleach water or they will rot from the stem down, and cut the stem with a inc or 2 of vine attached this will slow the drying up of the stem,
when traveling tuck some folded cardboard on both sides of pumpkin, that will keep them from rolling if you make turns.

9/22/2006 7:34:59 AM

thanks. blue tarps I have - I don't know why I didn't think of them. I always prefer dragging to lifting. We can get them into the truck using the tractor. Straw in the truck bed will make an attractive display and a good cushion.


now I know what a good spot we have, we are going for a big one next year! can you grow them with the blue tarp under them or does that encourage rotting?

9/22/2006 9:48:07 AM