Trerice Events for You to Get Involved In

Essex Pumpkins Doing Nicely!

2010-07-20T17:22:00.003+01:00

Tamasin, please see attached Emma and Maryann Cooke’s pompions growing in Kelvedon, Essex on 20th May and 26th June, sorry we didn’t get the pictures over to you quicker. As you can see they are growing nicely.

Regards, Kevin Cooke

Libby and Moo's Pumpkins in the Ground!

2010-07-01T09:05:00.004+01:00

Libby and Moo have been out an planted their pumpkins. These pics were taken on June 6th. Sharon writes:

Hi Tamasin,

These are Libby and Moo Hart’s pumpkins. Taken a while ago. We will send you some updated pictures when we get a chance. The girls are good at watering them most days.

Regards,

Sharon Hart

Joe's Pumpkins are in the ground!

2010-06-26T16:02:00.002+01:00

"Hey Tam,I discovered the pumpkins section of the Trerice blog and thought I'd contribute some pics of my own handiwork. These were grown from seeds I acquired from the Food Glorious Food campaign at Trerice." Joe

How are your's growing? Let us know!

The Trerice Team

Elle Charlton Pumpkins in Leeds Ready to Plant Out

2010-06-26T13:54:00.002+01:00

Elle Charlton in Leeds emailed us and said:
Hi, I have some pumpkins growing, and I live in an apartment with a balcony, I know they need planting in a big pot soon but how deep?I know some roots can grow pretty deep, so I'm wondering what size I should go for?
Also I've attached a photo :) This is day 9.
Ellie Charlton

Tam Battell Writes:
"Hi Ellie, your pumpkins look really healthy so this is good. It looks like your first true leaves have not yet begun to show on your pumpkins ( you probably know that these have more angles and are a spikey to touch) but they do look like they will be needing more space to grow soon. They will need plenty of light now so you are right to be thinking of putting them on the balcony.
Your pumpkins will need a large pot the largest pots that you can reasonably fit on your balcony really. It may be that you only grow 2 or 3 of your pumpkins to full size as a result. Pumpkins are hungry feeders so they will need a rich and fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. A good all round multi-purpose compost will be good, but because they will be in a container (and slightly stressed) as a result I recommend that you liquid feed your pumpkins once a week. Seaweed fertiliser is readily available at garden centres and will give your plants a teriffic boost.
Do not allow your pumpkins to dry out in their pots, when you water, don't water the leaves. Water the plant at the base of the stem.
I would recommmend that you train your pumpkins up some kind of strong support or alternatively you could allow them to trail out of the pot and down on to the ground. Pumkins tend to grow long runners with lots of leaves on.
If you need any more help during your pumpkin growing fun, just let me know."

Time to Plant Your pumpkins Out Yet?

2010-05-27T17:23:00.002+01:00

Are your pumpkin plants ready to plant out? Harden them to the elements for a couple of nights first by leaving them outside in a sunny protected spot.

The fear of frost is now past. Plant your pumpkins in well prepared soil with plenty of well rotted organic matter added. Plant one metre apart, to the depth of the original soil level in the pot.

Water frequently. Feed with liquid feed weekly. Water the roots not the leaves!

Check your pumpkins, why not put down beer traps to prevent the little critters eating your plants.

First True Leaves Now Growing on Our Pumpkins : )

2010-05-18T11:34:00.004+01:00

You may well now be seeing the first 'true' leaves growing, they have more texture and are more pointy than the first leaves. It will soon be time to pot your pumpkin on into a bigger pot.

The white roots are just showing through the base of the pot on our pumpkin plants here (see pic), which is another sign that the potting on time is nearly upon us. I am going to wait until the second leaf is a bit bigger before I pot on.

If you have any questions just get in contact with us by emailing tamasin.battell@nationaltrust.org.uk

Why not send us a picture of your pumpkin plant?

Essex Sprouting Success!

2010-04-29T10:41:00.003+01:00

Well done James Richards for your successful sprout! Looking good so far ; )

Sharon Richards emailed to me today and writes:
"The other morning James was surprised and very excited to see that his pumpkin had sprouted - it had grown about 1 cm overnight.
James is now growing cress on the window ledge next to his pumpkin. He is really pleased as both my husband and I are having cheese and cress sandwiches for our lunch at work today."

Great stuff! Why don't you send your story and picture to us here at Trerice? You can post a comment below or email us direct on tamasin.battell@nationaltrust.org.uk

Nice pic sent to us from London

2010-04-28T16:52:00.005+01:00

These are great pics of Chris and Stuart Morrissey's pumpkin sprouts. Sue Morrissey kindly emailed me today and writes:

"Just thought I would send you a picture of Chris and Stuart's sprouts. The pots didn't quite make the journey back to London upright so we had to start again using the seeds you gave us! As you can see there are a couple of successes in each pot - and at the moment Chris's sprouts are beating Stuarts! Let the competition commence!!"

The long stalks might indicate that the pumpkins seedlings need a bit more light each day, so to make sure they form good straight stems I suggested that they are placed outside each day to make sure they grow good and strong.

Keep in touch and let us know how your pumpkins are growing!

Love the Trerice Garden Team

Life!

2010-04-27T10:26:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone! A few (not all) of the pumpkin seeds in the Trerice Greenhouse have started to sprout! Let us know if yours have to! Send us a picuture : )

tamasin.battell@nationaltrust.org.uk

How to grow a big one!

2010-04-22T15:11:00.001+01:00

Top Tips on Growing Pumpkins from our Garden Manager John Lanyon

- Choose the best site - they like to grow in an open sunny place where they get sun all day

- They like to be warm - do not plant your plant out until the temperatures have risen, the beginning of June I reckon but down here in the right place you could start a couple of weeks earlier

- Soil - veg gardening is all about the soil - it needs to be well dug - this basically fluffs it up, allows the root in and holds onto water and nutrients

- Feeding - these guys are best feed 2 ways - heavily incorporate well rotten manure when digging your plot and then liquid feed every three weeks when the plant is growing

- Let them flower and then wait until the best fruit sets - not necessarily the first, you will sense which one is going to be the best because it will develop the quickest and look keen - then cut the others off

- Then water and water and water your plant and it is the luck of the draw after that

I am looking forward to meeting you and your champion in the Autumn!

ps the most important thing is to enjoy the whole thing and share your fun with others.

Mr John Lanyon
Gardens Manager
Trelissick, Glendurgan, Trerice and Bosloe
Cornwall
Follow us on Twitter - www.twitter.com/NTHeartCornwall
Find us on Facebook - 'National Trust - Heart of Cornwall'

Patience is a Virtue : )

2010-04-21T15:38:00.002+01:00

Don't worry! No leaves have appeared yet in our pumpkin pots here at Trerice! So don't worry if you can't see anything yet. Has your seed germinated? Let us know we want to hear from you!

email tamasin.battell@nationaltrust.org.uk or post a comment at this website

The Sun is Shining Don't Let Your Pots Dry Out!

2010-04-20T13:14:00.001+01:00

Don't forget to keep watering your pots, keep the soil moist and check them each day!

Pumpkin Growing Competition is ON!

2010-04-17T15:34:00.004+01:00

A total of seventy four people of all ages have sown a pumpkin seed at Trerice this week. Good luck if you are one of them!

Keep your seed pot moist and in a light filled space once it sprouts. Check it every day. If your seed doesn't sprout, plant another until you get success! Follow instructions on this website to help you on your way to a pumpkin-filled Halloween this year.

Come back and see us or, send us a picture of your pumpkin by 30th October to tamasin.battell@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Our Halloween Fun starts here, keep in touch, post us a comment, we would love to hear from you.

Love the Trerice Garden Team

Why not visit the other Trerice Garden Blogsite?

2010-04-17T12:12:00.004+01:00

Go to http://www.trericegarden.blogspot.com
find out more about what other things the Trerice Garden team are doing within our local 'grow your own' community.

Keep in Touch!

2010-04-16T12:20:00.002+01:00

Write a comment on this blog site we regularly look at the pages and we want to hear from you to hear how you and your pumpkins are getting on!

Good Luck!

2010-04-14T15:01:00.002+01:00

Keep your little pots in a very light place but ensure that the pots do not dry out, keep the soil moist but not saturated. In a couple of weeks you should see some life! Let us know how you are getting on with your seed growing, you can send us a picture of your growing plants. We'd be very happy to hear from you.

Love the Garden Team at Trerice

2010-04-13T16:03:00.003+01:00

Super day in the sun, lots of pumpkin seeds planted today.
Will yours be a winner? If you can't make it in to the judging and Halloween Workshops on the 30th October at Trerice that's a shame, but you can still take part by sending us a picture of your prize winner.

If at first you don't succeed........you should see your pumkin seed sprout in a couple of weeks, but if not don't despair, sow another few seeds to increase you chances of a pumkin filled Halloween this year.....

Keep in touch and let us know how yours grow!

Love the Treice Gardeners

Getting Started With Your Pumpkin......

2010-04-12T16:28:00.002+01:00

It might be that your little seedlings look a little bit like this after a couple of weeks.. These pots look a bit dry though. Do make sure the soil is moist but not saturated and that you ensure that the pots are kept in the light. A greenhouse is good, but don't forget them. Check them every day!

Another Year Another Chance to Grow Your Own Pumpkin for Halloween!

2010-04-02T11:50:00.005+01:00

Trerice Gardeners invite you to National Trust Trerice Manor (near Newquay, Cornwall) this year for another chance to grow your own pumpkin. Pumpkin Growing workshops are being held from 12th and 17th April 2010 between 11am and 2.30pm.

Head for the greenhouse and, for the small cost of £1, you'll get a number of seeds, trays and compost. The gardeners will impart to you the secrets of successful pumpkin growing to ensure your Halloween this year filled with your own home grown pumpkins.

It doesn't end there however. Trerice invite you to return on Saturday 30th October just before Halloween with your harvest for judging! Certificates will be presented for categories such as most ugly, largest, smallest, most colourful, unusual shape....There will be fun to be had for all the family this day, so don't miss out.

Join in the fun! For more information please call the Trerice Office on 01637 875 404

Robin, Julie, Maisie and Maddy Dodd have Massive Pompion Harvest!

2009-10-08T11:35:00.007+01:00

Well what have we here, possibly the most enormous Pompions in the world! Well done to the Dodd Family for all your hard work! Best wishes from the Gardening Team at Trerice : )

"Hello

We were at Trerice in the Easter holidays and you kindly let us sow some pumpkin seeds. Well, this is how they turned out!

The larger one is 16kg, 23cm high and 42cm in diameter. The smaller one is 11kg, 23cm high and 37cm in diameter.

Thanks for the great experience - hope you like the pictures! " - Robin, Julie, Maisie and Maddy Dodd

BLACKER FAMILY ENJOY PUMPKIN SEED SOWING AT TRERICE

2009-04-19T11:21:00.005+01:00

Has your pumpkin seedling started to emerge yet? Keep checking it and keep the soil moist not saturated Thomas! Hello also to Ellen, Nigel and Nicola nice to meet you yesterday. The Gardening Team here at Trerice

Article in The Guardian on Veg Doctors 9th April 2009

2009-04-09T17:02:00.002+01:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/09/vegetable-doctor-environment

Please do follow this link for more advice on getting help growing your own vegetables where you are! You will be off to a good start be with some one who has a little experience already.......

Pumpkin Growing at Trerice with Online Help from the Gardening Team here

2009-04-09T12:10:00.003+01:00

Grow your own pumpkin with help from the Trerice team here. You can come to Trerice and sow your own pumpkin with our guidance on Thursday April 16th and Saturday 18th from 12pm to 4pm.
Take the little seed home with you to care for. Your first step to a pumpkin filled halloween! For more details go to http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trerice

Veg Doctors here at Trerice to Help You!

2009-04-09T11:52:00.005+01:00

If you have been lucky enough to sow a pumpkin seed at Trerice this week good for you, follow the advice below, this will get you on the road to a big pumpkin in October.

Want to know how to sow a pumpkin seed but can't get to Trerice next week?

Ask me how to do it here, now and I will answer any questions you have. You have everything to gain and not much to lose from the experience!

Tam

Caring for your pumpkin seedling step by step guide

Step 1.
Think where you would like to grow your pumpkin.
Sunny area, protected from strong winds. Doesn’t have to be a large area….

Step 2.
Soil preparation in your pumpkin planting area is vital.
Do not plant direct into soil without first preparing the ground. There are no short cuts sorry! You will probably need to fork/dig the ground.

If the ground has not been cultivated before (ie, not dug over before) you will probably need to break the ground up using a fork. Use the garden fork as a lever get the prongs right down into the ground as far as you can push, then lever down. Dig over the whole site in this way.

While you are working, remove large stones, remove weeds by their roots. Take your time, drink lots of tea, take plenty of breaks.

A thorough job will be a good job. I suggest, you start with a small site, not a field!

Step 3
Organic matter is important, pumpkins need well drained, fertile soil. Most soils will need organic matter added to them to ensure a good, healthy crop.

What organic matter you choose is up to you. I like using soil conditioner made from municipal waste that has been composted. As a guide, I add one bag of soil conditioner for every metre squared area. Avoid using Peat Based products, read the label carefully.

If you have it, use your own home made compost (if it smells very bad though, I would advise that you do not use this yet - give it longer to break down).

Fork your Organic Matter in to the ground, mix well with the soil try to avoid clumps of organic matter in one area and none elsewhere. Mix into the soil, to a depth of one fork.

Rest.

Step 4
While all of this is going on, you need to look after your little pumpkin seed and check it every day.

Ensure that the little seedling you have put into your pottle is located in a light but warm place.

Put your pottle on a saucer or similar dish mainly to protect the surface it sits on! Keep the soil in the pottle moist, but not saturated.

The pumpkin seed should start to sprout in 5 to 8 days.

Step 5
At this stage the little seedling is most vulnerable. Check it every day. Keep it in its light place. Keep it moist, but not saturated. Does it look healthy? If not, oh dear…..it may never look healthy! Log on to www.trerice.blogspot.com explain what it looks like to me, I might be able to help.

Step 6
In the right conditions, the plant will soon be growing very well, and putting on a couple more leaves. When it has 2 true leaves that get to about 3 cm long, you will need to transplant the little seedling carefully to a larger pot (half litre size ideally).

Half fill the new pot with compost then gently firm down with the back of your hand. Use a good multi-purpose peat free potting compost (New Horizon or Westland).

Test drive the new environment using your pottle as a guide. Sit the pottle on top of the compost in the new larger pot. The orginal soil level in the pottle should be about one inch below the top of the sides of the new pot. Remove the pottle. Add more compost as necessary to the new pot. Do the pottle test again. Is the compost level OK yet?

At this stage, you will need to remove the plant with its roots intact from the pottle. Keep as much of the pottle soil around the plant roots as possible. Be careful not to damage the plant in the process. Treat it tenderly.

Try to make it so it your pumpkin doesn’t realise its been moved! Hold it just over the centre of its new pot where it is to be planted and add compost gently around it. Make sure your little plants sits at the same depth in the new compost as it did in its old compost. Firm in gently with your knuckle.

Water in gently.

Step 7
Keep your plant indoors and well watered, until it develops very good, strong leaf growth. You will be able to plant your pumpkin outside at this stage, (of course plant it outside into thoroughly prepared ground as described above)

Step 8
Plant your pumpkin outside, move it gently from its pot, don’t fiddle with the roots too much. Keep as much of the compost in around the roots as possible. Try to make this journey to the outside world as painless for it as possible.
Firm into the ground so it won’t topple over in a wind. Water copiously around the roots of the pumpkin not the leaves.

Water well especially in dry weather. Keep checking on your pumpkin preferable each day to ensure its healthy and growing.

Step 9
Pollination producing pumkins. Female and male flowers will form on your pumpkin and both are needed for this stage of fruit setting. The female flowers have a little swelling behind the flower. The male ones don’t. Press male and female flowers together for pollination to happen. Or, mimmick and insect, use a cotton wool bud to transplant pollen from male to female flowers.

Step 10
Once fruit are set, they will swell. Aim for 3 fruits on your pumkin plant at a maximum. Pinch out new flowers that form and remove them.

Place straw or slate under the pumpkin to stop it from rotting. Continue watering in dry weather.

Step 11
Harvest pumpkin and bring it in half term October for judging. Cut your pumpkin off the plant with a knife or with scissors and carefully transport to Trerice. Visit http://www.trerice.blogspot.com/ for more details and online help….

PLANT YOUR PUMPKIN SEEDS NOW AT TRERICE READY FOR HALLOWEEN 2009

2009-04-03T11:52:00.024+01:00

Grow your own enormous Tudor pumpkin, ready for Halloween!

If you are wondering where to come this Easter holiday, why not come to Trerice Manor on a day when you and your family will be able to sow your own pumpkin seeds under the guidance of one of the garden team.

This great opportunity is running on the following four days in April from 12pm to 4pm - Monday 6th, Wednesday 8th, Thursday 16th and Saturday 18th, it will only cost you £1 for the session.

Once your pumpkins are sown, you will be taking them home with you. Don't worry that your little seedling won't make it! Good advice will be given to you on the day.

You'll be supported in your journey to a massive orange pumpkin-filled Halloween with free advice and help from this blog page. Myself and the garden team will be 'on hand' every day to answer your questions.

If you are interested in finding out more please add your post to this page and I will be in touch very shortly... to find out more about National Trust Trerice Manor go to http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trerice Cheers!