Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
24 September 2010
10:2872255I have a question for Ray Newsam, (expert on growing giant pumpkins). I think my pumpkin has stopped growing, it has gone a darker orange. It is not that big, but as it is the first I have grown, I am quite pleased with it. It is far too heavy for me to lift !! I have to take it to our village pub (Plough & Harrow, Tilmanstone) on the last day of October. Can I leave it on the plant as it is, will it be OK until then? Or will it need cutting off and keeping dry before the end of Oct? I suppose it might get a bit heavier if left on the plant ?
Here it is:
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
24 September 2010
15:3872323Hi Kath,
Looks good, about a 50 pounder so far! It looks like the leaves are still green so it might do a bit of growing yet and will ripen a bit more if you fancy cooking with it. I'd suggest trimming the grass and just raising it on a board or tile to make sure it doesn't go rotten with the wet weather or slugs getting at it, then harvest a couple of days before the event or as soon as the plant dies back. Good luck and let us all know how you get on.
I was a bit slow answering as we've been over to the Kent Food Fair in Canterbury, loads of beer, cider, juices and local food to sample, eat or takeaway, it's on until Sunday if anyone is tempted.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
24 September 2010
16:0072327Many thanks Ray. Confirms what I estimated - could be about 50 lbs so far.
Will put it on wooden boards, it is raised on an upturned plastic seed tray at present, but will put something wooden under it , and trim back grass underneath. Will keep you posted later as to is progress!
No, I probably won't cook with it (someone said the giant ones are not so good to eat), but I do want eventually to save some of the seed for next year (when I will give them more space !!)
Sounds as though you had a good time at the Food Fair.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
31 October 2010
18:3377724This afternoon there was the pumpkin weigh-in at the Plough & Harrow, Tilmanstone. I was very surprised to come second as it is the first I have grown for a competition! Mine is the one far left in back row, and weighed 17 kilos. The winner (34-kilos) can be seen front right, grown by Geoff Jarvest of Eastry. I shall definitely have another go next year and give the plant a lot more room !
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
31 October 2010
20:3477731Well done Kath , you were up against against a semi-pro there.
Is Ian still at the Plough and Harrow, I've not been there for a couple of years?
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
31 October 2010
22:5877746many congrats kath, i hasten to add size is not everything.
at least that is was i always tell the ladies.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
1 November 2010
10:0777782Well done Kath, yours might not have been biggest but it was certainly the best looking
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
1 November 2010
12:0277805well done Kath that looks like a very fine Pumkin there for the first attempt.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
1 November 2010
18:1677869Thanks everyone. Yes, indeed, the winner is a market gardener and excellent grower !!
Jan - yes, Ian and Christine are still at Plough & Harrow, they had a full pub yesterday for the pumpkin weigh-in and 'party' - after doing over 30 Sunday lunches -it is so popular...
We shall go there tomorrow (Tuesdays they have over 60s lunches, two lovely courses - a choice- for under £6). Excellent. But you have to book.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
16 November 2010
23:3780379My giant pumpkin has now been cut up, some given away, seeds saved and dried, and the rest I have roasted (lovely), or made into pumpkin and red onion chutney, which looks and tastes good. Glad it could be used and not wasted - but there was a LOT !!
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
17 November 2010
00:2580386The pumpkin in the front is fairly sizable, but I prefer the look of the bramly apples further down the table in your picture.
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