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How To Grow A Giant Champion Pumpkin, Advice from a Russian Apiarist

October 19, 2024

As a recovering software engineer, I sometimes miss geek culture. So, when Mike (the software engineer who keeps bees in my garden) showed up with Pavel (a Moscovite comp sci guy, legendary apiarist in Russia, and budding pumpkin growing champ) and Gregory (a certifiable pumpkin champ), I was sucked into discussions of homemade experiments, grand schemes, and giant squash.

Gregory had recently acquired the highly coveted seeds of a championship giant pumpkin.

The three were perfecting their seed germination skills. It involved a custom-built germination box that they were keeping under their desks at work.

Who would believe that a pumpkin that weighs as much as an elevator full of people could start its life in the dank underbelly of a cubicle at Raytheon?

…..

Illustrated cover featuring a large orange pumpkin entwined in a vine. Text reads, "How to Grow Giant Pumpkins: A 6 Season Planning Guide to Cultivate Your Own Monster Squash." At the bottom, a red wheelbarrow sits amid smaller pumpkins.
The term “champion pumpkin” refers to the largest or highest quality pumpkin in a competition. A champion pumpkin typically boasts an impressive size, vibrant color, and symmetrical shape, making it a standout among other entries. Learn how to grow your own Giant (or otherwise Champion-worthy) pumpkins.

How To Grow Giant Champion Pumpkins

It is the end of summer now.

Pavel has not only succeeded, but has a pumpkin on the vine that is 100 inches in diameter and estimated over 300 pounds.

It’s a far cry from the world record, but I am duly amazed, and Pavel is clearly proud.

Gregory has been acting as Pavel’s cucurbit coach. (He has been growing giant pumpkins for years).

Gregory established his coach qualifications with his impressive record. His first real effort yielded a 600-pounder, and he followed it the next year with twin 900-pound giants.

In his third year, he had an even larger contender. But in a late-season heartbreaker, it grew too fast and split.

A giant orange pumpkin sits on the ground among green leaves in a field, under a cloudy sky.
Giant pumpkin – If you’ve got the space and inclination, try growing your own monster pumpkin – for competition of just for fun. Photo by Stephen Ward. via Oregon State University.

Gregory approaches growing with the thoroughness of a true scientist. He follows the motto of his own mentor, Steve Sperry – “We grow them to show them.” He tells me there is simply no other reason to do this except to enjoy the excited amazement of others.

Gregory has regrets that Pavel could have had a much bigger season if only he had done a few things “just so”. (Pavel, for his part, is perfectly satisfied).

Seeds for Giant Pumpkins

As we chatted, Gregory picked up on my own sense of romance about the idea. (Am I a geeky enough grower to make it work? Do I have what it takes to be a champion?)

And like some sort of street corner drug dealer, he slyly offered to get me some good seeds if I wanted to give it a try.

growing giant pumpkin illustration and free guide for how to grow giant pumpkins in 6 seasons.
Can you grow a 300-pound giant pumpkin? Of course, you can! Giant pumpkins are not that hard – you just need to know the horticultural tricks to make it happen. Planning starts a year and a half ahead of time – so if you want giant pumpkins for next fall, you need to get started immediately! Then you can use your massive pumpkin competitively in pumpkin contests or use it for carving, cooking (the biggest pie ever!), or as a festive decoration for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I have to admit I’m thinking about it, but I worry that I just might get hooked …

>>>FREE >>> Download the 6 Season Planning Guide to Growing Giant Pumpkins. <<<

This guide is the result of Gregory’s full coaching download (and some of Pavel’s tips, too!). It starts with how to prepare the garden and soil the first season and covers seed selection, when and how to add nutrients, and how to baby that baby into full-grown champion hugeness.

More Halloween and Fall Harvest Garden Ideas:

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