Growing Non-GMO Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Vegetable Seeds
How to Grow Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin from Seed
Pumpkin is able to be sown directly after the final spring frost but, for earliest starts, begin indoors 3-4 weeks prior. Plant 2-3 seeds 1" deep per cell or, for outdoor sowing, plant atop 8-10" tall mounds of soil every 5-6 ft to accommodate long, heavy trailing vines. Seeds germinate in 4-10 days and transplanted to composted, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Fertilize crop every 3 weeks and harvest pumpkins before the autumn frost. Once a few pumpkins begin to show on the vine, pinch off vines to inhibit vegetative growth, directing energy to producing the most optimal pumpkins.
How to Grow Competition-Sized Pumpkins
If you are looking to grow your giant pumpkins as large as possible, you should only allow one pumpkin to grow per plant, which means you'll have to pinch off all other flowers to concentrate growth into the one fruit you've chosen to be your prize winner.
Growing a giant pumpkin from seed requires a significant amount of water. Plan to add at least 1" of water per week if there isn't a significant amount of rain.
Giant pumpkins are heavy feeders that put on weight rapidly once the fruit is set. Be sure to plan out a feeding schedule to ensure the plant is getting enough nutrients from the soil.
Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin in the Vegetable Garden
Pumpkin is a full sun winter squash that thrives in the heat, trailing and vining just like a gourd or cucumber. And like any other winter squash, pumpkin features a wide variety of colors and sizes for both ornamental and culinary use. Pumpkins are able to grow multiple on the vine but, for largest and most decorative squash, plants can be pruned to force enormous, even competition size pumpkins just in time for autumn fun.
Giant pumpkins, such as Dill's Atlantic Giant, are typically grown for pumpkin competitions. While the tradition began in North America, people all over the globe compete for the world record today.
Even though Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds are usually grown for the enormous size of the fruit, they offer a smooth, creamy flesh that can be used in recipes that call for fresh pumpkin. And, roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious snack.
Harvesting Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Most small to medium pumpkins are ready to harvest 90-100 days from sowing while larger varieties require an extra few weeks. Dill's Atlantic Giant is usually ready to harvest in about 120 days. Regardless of color or size, pumpkins are generally ripe once the stem is solid and rind is tough, unable to be pierced by a fingernail. Clip pumpkins from the vine with shears leaving about 4" of stem intact and, once harvested, leave out to naturally cure in the sun for 10-14 days. The curing process will help pumpkins last up to 3 months longer after harvesting.
About Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Seeds
C.maxima. (120 days) This is the pumpkin you see on the news around Halloween that takes a forklift to move it. Atlantic Giants easily average 400-500lbs and with a little tender loving care you could compete for the record which is 2009 lbs! Joe Jutras took the worlds record in 2007 with a 1689 pound Atlantic Giant! The first giant pumpkin ever grown over 1600 pounds! To put that into perspective that is half as much as a 2009 Volkswagen beetle car!!!
Update: The Latest world record winner this year is Ron Wallace who grew a 2009 pound pumpkin. Ron broke the record in 2006 with his 1502 pound pumpkin. Now six years later he breaks the record again with the first ever one ton vegetable.
Congratulations to Mathias Willemijns of Belgium for his Atlantic Giant pumpkin that weighed in at a world-record setting 2624 lbs!
You won't be doing any "punkin chunkin" with these babies. We know a guy that grows these locally to lease them out to wineries and events around Halloween. He has to move them with a big fork lift and transports each one on its own trailer, they are that big!
This is a GREAT project for the kids, most young gardeners and the young at heart. Wouldn't you get excited about winning the county fair with one of the giant babies!
If you plan on eating the pumpkins grown from Dill's Atlantic pumpkin seeds, you can expect the same type of nutritional benefits that come from other types of edible pumpkins. They contain high levels of vitamin A and other vitamins and minerals, plus antioxidants, especially beta-carotene.
