How to Grow a Giant Pumpkin

What are the secrets of growing one of those gigantic pumpkins you see every fall? One prize-winning gardener told us to start with seed from a big variety such as "Atlantic Giant." Before planting, work the soil as deeply as you can, turning in a good amount of composted manure. In the weeks after planting, cut off all but two of the strongest stems from the vine. Let one fruit develop on each stem and remove all other flowers. Be sure to place a piece of wood under the fruit to prevent it from rotting where it touches the soil.

As the stems grow, cover them with a shovelful of soil at 2- to 3-foot intervals, usually at the leaf joints. This will cause roots to develop along the vine and provide further nourishment for the plant. Feed the plant with a high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks, and water it regularly. Be sure to keep the foliage dry to prevent disease. Come Halloween, with a little carving, you may have the largest jack-o'-lantern on your street.