Mr Fothergill's Vegetable Seeds Pumpkin Atlantic Giant - 10 Seeds

Pumpkin Atlantic Giant is the number one choice for growing a real giant. Tasty flesh also makes it great for kitchen use. An excellent source of vitamin A.

Staff Pumpkin Competition 2014 Green-fingered Laura (as pictured), who works in our mail order division, fought off the challenge from 12 colleagues to grow the heaviest pumpkin in a staff competition this year. All the competitors were allowed to choose their own company-grown young plant of proven heavyweight Atlantic Giant, and then tended it personally on the trial ground, nurturing it however they wished in the hope of producing the heaviest pumpkin.

At the official weigh-in in late October, Laura's pumpkin was recorded at 50.1kg. She commented "I used to grow my own Halloween pumpkins when I was younger but this was my first attempt in many years. To be honest I didn’t fuss over my pumpkin excessively. I just gave it some feed as the fruits were beginning to form. The plant gave me two good sized pumpkins – the winner plus another which weighed in at 30.1kg. In theory I should have removed this second fruit, but both have been put to good use and now carved ready for Halloween".

Sow & Grow:

Sow indoors for surest results, 1.5cm (1/2”) deep, on edge, in small pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F) is ideal. Keep moist.

Seedlings usually appear in 7-21 days. Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 90cm (3’) apart, when frosts are over.

Sow outdoors for ease, where they are to crop, 1.5cm (1/2”) deep directly into finely prepared soil which has already been watered. Allow 90cm (3’) between positions. Sow two seeds on edge per position.

Early sowings benefit from cloche protection. Thin to leave stronger plant. Water well until plants are established.

Pinch out the growing tips when 4-5 fruits have started to develop.

To grow a giant allow only one pumpkin to develop per plant.

Hints & Tips:

Raise fruits on straw to protect against rotting if ground is wet. Reqular liquid feeds and consistent watering is essential to grow a giant.