It's a Science Project

The bar has been raised!

It's time to celebrate.  We've set a new record for growing giant pumpkins.

Dean celebrates new Arizona record

We all have learned a lot during the first five months of 2015. The AZGPG, as a group, set as its 2015 goals to 1) Beat the existing Arizona State record for growing giant pumpkins, and 2) Break the 500-pound plateau with our pumpkins.

So far, we have successfully grown two pumpkins that weighed-in larger than the long-held Arizona record; and we grew a third pumpkin that was within four pounds of the old record. We have accomplished our most important goal for 2015. We beat the existing record. As the former record holder, Ben Buchsieb, said at the AZGPG Spring Harvest Festival, "It's time for somebody to break that record."

I think setting the new record is far more important than weighing-in at over 500 pounds. That being said, there are still seven months left in 2015 to accomplish the second goal -- and I know we have three more pumpkins still in the ground to be weighed over the next few months.

Last fall I suggested the growing season for Arizona, and the Southwest Desert, should be moved all the way into January. It was an idea without any proof to back it up; but our results seem to show we have the right idea. It just seems logical that Arizona growers need to consider the conditions other parts of the country enjoy during their season.

Weather is a major consideration for Southwestern growers when they're cultivating giant pumpkins. Central Arizona's temperatures, during January through May, are similar to the weather found in traditional pumpkin-belt states during May to September. That being true, then we should start our seeds in December (They usually start their seeds in April).

I recognize there is limited commercial (or consumer) interest in growing pumpkins for Memorial Day. Still, if we believe that size is everything, then we must change our thinking and plant our pumpkins as soon after New Year's Day as possible.

The Phoenix area typically has its last frost day at the end of February. In order to get a full 120-150 days for the giant pumpkin, we need to start before the accepted start dates for our region. This means that we must find a way to keep the plants warm early in the season - just like everybody else must do in the traditional pumpkin corridor.

I do believe our climate helps us later in the growth cycle because our warm weather will carry our plants to the finish line. Our challenge, at the end of the season, is to keep our plants cool (shade cloth and misters). The Northern pumpkin states start worrying in September because their temperatures drop and the cold slows their pumpkin growth (Sort of like what we see in late May - and especially in June).

We control the things we can. We know it starts with good seed genetics and properly amended soil. We also pay attention to the weather and take steps to modify it when necessary. Too much, or not enough, sun, shade, wind, fertilizer, water, etcetera can derail our season. It's our experimenting with all these variables that brings the element of luck into the growing season. If something bad happens to our plants, then we have to remind ourselves that this is a "hobby" and not our livelihood.

AZGPG Spring Harvest Festival entries

Many of the growing techniques, that we take for granted, were developed by championship growers in the 1980's and have been adopted by successful grower since. As a result, record weights continue to be obtained, each year, by part-time gardeners/growers who work hard to grow a plant that is essentially a static display. I prefer to think of it as a science project. We need to be willing to try new techniques, which will help us discover ways to improve our chances for a giant plant.

Ben Bushieb grew his 469-pound pumpkin in 2007. Scott Culp grew a 454 pounder in 2002. We have already established a new Arizona record (486 pounds) and added three pumpkins over 460 pounds to Arizona's top giant pumpkin list in 2015.

The Arizona Giant Pumpkin Growers want to be a resource for giant pumpkin growers, and growers of other giant vegetables. We believe there is a group of gardeners/growers ready to take the next step and grow BIG pumpkins, and giant vegetables, in Arizona and the Southwest Deserts. We believe by creating a resource for new growers - as well as experienced growers - that collectively we will all be more successful. The AZGPG mission is to provide a means of sharing information, which can benefit all gardeners/growers interested in our hobby.

We're probably not ready to be growing 1,000, or 1,500-pound pumpkins quite yet. But I do believe we can clear 500 pounds within the next year. The AZGPG declared 2015 as "Operation 501". We beat the old record. Now we need to raise the bar - again; and grow them big.

The AZGPG will continue to support the efforts of all giant pumpkin and vegetable growers; and will celebrate all of their successes. Be it a state record or a Personal Best.