Dill’s Atlantic Giant (2024)

FAQs

Dill’s Atlantic Giant? ›

Giant pumpkins don't make the best eating pumpkin, they are very watery and not very tasty at all. Plus if you have been using fertiliser on them, they may have some of this inside of them. Cows and pigs really like to eat them though.

Giant pumpkins don't make the best eating pumpkin, they are very watery and not very tasty at all. Plus if you have been using fertiliser on them, they may have some of this inside of them. Cows and pigs really like to eat them though.

DILL'S ATLANTIC GIANT is the grand-daddy of all giant pumpkins. The present day record, for this variety is an amazing 2009 lbs (913 kg) and it is common for the variety to produce 400- 500 pound (180-230 kg) fruit consistently.

Start the seeds indoors in late April/early May in 4”-6” peat pots or other suitable container. You should use an emery board to file the edges of the seed in improve germination. Soak the seeds for approximately 1 hour prior to planting.

Giant pumpkin growing has inspired numerous related activities, including giant pumpkin boat races, and pumpkin chucking. Giant pumpkins are often exhibited at county fairs and related exhibitions.

While all pumpkins are edible, some are great as food, and some are better suited for other purposes. The jack-o'-lantern pumpkin is a great example.

Plenty of sun, water and space required. Growing large pumpkins requires a full sun location, one that receives no shade at any time during the day. A large growing space is also key to producing large pumpkins, so allow a minimum of 500 square feet per plant for vine growth.

Sand is Your Giant Pumpkins Friend

Having a bed of sand underneath your pumpkin allows it to grow more easily. It makes sense, think about how easy it is to have sand flow through your fingers. It's made up of many small particles. Allowing less friction than if you were growing directly on soil.

Giant pumpkins need a lot of water and sugar, and they need it fast. A typical giant pumpkin grows from seed to huge orange squash in only 120 to 160 days. At peak growth, it's putting on 15 kilograms (33 pounds) every day.

What fertilizer for giant pumpkin? ›

Giant pumpkin vines require approximately 2 pounds nitrogen (N), 3 pounds phosphorous (P₂O₂) and 6 pounds potash (K₂O) per 1,000 square feet of growing space. A foliar feeding or fertigation program should be started after pollination and fruit set have occurred.

Atlantic Giants are the largest overall species of pumpkin. They can grow as much as 50 pounds per day!

Giant pumpkins cost $2 per pound - This is my average price. Prettier pumpkins such as this one or this one may be higher, or at least non-negotiable.

Spoiler alert – it's a trick question! The correct answer is that ALL parts of the pumpkin are edible (although you wouldn't want to eat the dried stem – yuck!). Pumpkins are in the squash family, called “Cucurbits,” and all parts of all squash are edible – leaves, vines, fruit, seeds, skin and roots!

Pumpkins typically used for jack-o'-lanterns usually are larger, with stringier pulp and more watery flesh. However, you can still eat the jack-o-lantern variety with fairly good results. If you're buying a pumpkin specifically for eating, the smaller ones are usually the best.

You can absolutely cook pumpkin the way you would cook any other winter squash. The varieties that are bred primarily for decorative use and Jack-o-lanterns may not be quite as flavorful or might be a bit stringier than pumpkins bred specifically for pies and other culinary uses but they are all edible.

Weather, insects and decease can take them all. That is why they are priced a little higher than the typical orange pumpkin. Heirlooms are perfect for decorating but they really shine when used in the kitchen they are all edible with very different taste.