Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin

Prepare for a pumpkin-growing adventure like no other! Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin is a thrilling colossal pumpkin that has the potential to break records! Named after Canadian pumpkin breeder Dill Howard, pumpkin has produced world-winning pumpkins of over 2,000 pounds. Though cultivating these competition pumpkins are a labor of love, even without special treatment, Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkins can produce pumpkins of 200-300 pounds. Produce for competitions, carvings, or for your personal home or farm display and leave your neighbors and friends in awe. Use the edible orange flesh after for delicious pumpkin pies, breads, and puddings.

Squash is one of the plants grown in the traditional Native American vegetable growing technique called the Three Sisters. The other two plants in the Three Sisters are beans and corn. Each plant had its role in this companion planting tradition. Corn served as a structure for the vining beans to grow up. Squash served as a ground cover to prevent weeds from growing. Beans provided natural fertilizer for all.

Also Known As: Giant Pumpkin, Mammoth Pumpkin, Colossal Pumpkin, Carving Pumpkin, Competition Pumpkin, King-Size Pumpkin, Monster Pumpkin.

Plant Name:	Pumpkin, Dill's Atlantic Giant
Latin Name:	Curcubita maxima
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	130
Plant Height:	2 - 5 Feet
Spread:	25 Feet
Growth Habit:	Vining
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 20 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Pumpkins grows best in warm weather.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is reliably above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. 

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing Pumpkins outdoors, plant in mid-late spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not typically recommended unless planting in climates with mild winters (USDA Zones 9-11) - plant at least 3-4 months before the first expected frost date.

To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 20 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. After the seeds come up and plants are 3-4 inches tall, thin to one plant per hill. Choose the strongest, healthiest plant. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Opt to hand-pollinate the plants and to prune plants to grow one pumpkin per plant to increase the likelihood of developing bigger pumpkins.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	15 feet

Between-Row Spacing:20 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water very deeply to give pumpkins the best opportunity to grow, once to twice a week. If there is no rainfall, water 3-4 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-3 weeks after germination, you may optionally apply additional fertilizer without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Optionally, continue fertilizing every 3-4 weeks as plants grow, especially after flowering begins. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin when it reaches its full massive size, typically 120-150 days after planting, and the rind has hardened to resist puncture from a fingernail. The pumpkin should have a deep orange hue and the vine should begin to dry out. Use sharp pruning shears or a knife to cut the pumpkin from the vine, leaving a 4-6 inch stem attached to prevent premature decay. Handle the pumpkin carefully, as its immense weight makes it prone to cracking or bruising. Allow it to cure in a warm, dry place for 10-14 days to further harden the skin. Harvest before the first frost, as cold temperatures can damage the pumpkin. Store in a cool, dry area for extended keeping.