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Show Local pumpkin growers go big By Debra Hart Many local growers are "biggie-sizing" their pumpkin patches with gigantic versions of the orange orbs. Growing giant pumpkins is not a hobby for those with a shortage of spare time, patience or garden space. Giant pumpkin growers spend hours each week (if not each day) fertilizing, watering and tending the rapidly growing vines. They also have to work aggressively to combat weeds and battle the bugs. Soil is one of the most important factors in growing a whopper. They crave lots of soil amendments, such as manure and compost. The pumpkins also need a lot of fertilizing early in the season. "They are heavy nitrogen feeders in June until the flowers come out," said Kevin Card of Highland. His penchant for the plump, oversized over-sized pumpkins began more than four years ago. Card is renowned in Utah for his personal pumpkin patch in Highland. He loves to "super-size" "super-size" his Halloween fun by growing all sizes, colors and shapes of pumpkins in his 4,500-plus 4,500-plus square foot plot behind his house. Card said there are three types of "big" pumpkins - Big Max, Prize Winner and Dill Atlantic Giants. The Dill Atlantic, which is patented by Howard Dill, is the biggest and can reach weights of more than 1,000 pounds. He recommends a minimum space of 450 square feet, with full sun exposure, for each pumpkin plant. But, 1,000 square feet of growing grow-ing space is ideal because their monstrous vines need lots of room to roam. To be a successful competitor in the giant pumpkin arena, a little family genetic research is required. Prize pumpkin growers keep pedigrees pedi-grees on their winners - tracing generations through parents to grandparents and similar to doing genealogy and tracing family history. Giant pumpkin growers usually hand-polli- . nate their flowers, to ensure the bees don't mess up their genetic planning. Growers recommend starting the seeds indoors in early May, to get a jump start on the growing season, and transplanting them outside out-side after they get their second set of leaves in mid-May. A mini-greenhouse, or protective fortress, is recommended for frost and wind protection in the early weeks. Thanksgiving Point hosts an annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off each October and is the official weigh-off site for the intermountain area for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth. Growers from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah haul in their biggest and best orange orbs for the show. Card also encourages involving your kids in growing giant pumpkins. "They learn what you sow is what you reap," said Card. "This helps them appreciate the effort it takes to grow something worth eating or showing." ftp' l - -"-'U L ( i Photos by Debra Hart Ron Hoffman and his wife, Connie, swept Thanksgiving Point's annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off on October 5, 2002, with first place and fourth place. Ron's pumpkin weighed in at a whopping 648 pounds and Connie grew a 481 pounder. ijgMD(SlKg H Foundation Spray M iJljD with season service. OuU x Wm'k mA. ---- - - - a " 768-3449 Pest & Termite Control Professional Lawn Fertilizing & Weed Control Lawn Aeration COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL RODENT, SPIDER & BLACK WIDOW CONTROL, INSIDE SPRAYING, TERMITE PRE-TREATS, FREE TERMITE INSPECTIONS, TREE SPRAYING. FHA & VA CERTIFICATES, LICENSED & INSURED. r Worry-Free Lifetime Manufacturers Warranties! x3 LiJU ROOFING Mention this flyer & receive an enhanced ventilation on your roof! Soffit & Fascia Roofing pricingre' Windows r i HI 7m 'rAmni j I ! f 1 Siding 4 Doors Over 7,600 satisfied customers! 1 3 years experience serving Utah! Licensed & Insured Gutters 859-66281&r FOR A DYN0MITE PRICE CALL ? .IC-.ir.l. lUi&l L'l -'.tiiUOr. a-lu4 y-'-UX-s.' cy.t it. j Office: 753 N. 1890 W., Provo |