Sure, the 2017 Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta is history. Only a few of the dozens of ginormous wonderfully decorated gourds remain to be seen in the Twin Village area. The holidays are coming. But if you intend to be a serious Pumpkinfest Weigh-off contender in 2018, now is time to prepare your pumpkin patch for next year/s growing season!

Richard Powell, who was the 2015 Giant Pumpkin Volunteer Grower Weigh-off second place winner with his 1548-pound Atlantic pumpkin provides some important information for next season’s growers.

Powell likes to start the week after harvest. Most successful growers have developed a plan that works for them, but will generally agree on a few basic necessities. Below is a list of steps he takes in the order they are listed:

1. Remove all roots and vines from this year’s plant to help prevent spread of plant disease. This is a great time to look at root and vine condition. The length and size of the roots can tell you a lot about the quality of your soil.

2. Analyze your soil by digging into it at different locations for inspection and samples for a good soil test. How deep can you easily dig with your bare hand?   Six inches will work but but a foot is better.

3. Add nutrients, compost, PH adjustment material, and sand or gypsum for clay soil as needed. A good soil test can help but, unless you thought ahead, the results can take weeks at best.

4. Till your garden as deep as possible for good root growth. (This is one area that the expense of a powerful tractor with a tiller that goes eight inches or more is wise.) Now is the time to plant a winter cover crop. Powell prefers crops such as winter rye this time of year because it will continue to grow in the spring and holds your nutrients until you till it in as your pumpkin plant grows.

5. Let your patch rest and absorb the amendments you have added. After a couple of good rainy days, and before April, do another soil test. You will still have time for adjustments.

6. Fall is also a good time to lay out your future plant and greenhouse location. If you use hoop houses as Powell does, you can install the hoops now.

7. Says Powell, the most important to do is to communicate with other experienced growers! “We are fortunate to have a large number of successful proven pumpkin growers in Maine, and I have always found everyone very helpful! Good luck!!”

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™ is a 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote education to citizens of all ages regarding the specific agricultural science required to grow giant pumpkins, and to provide local non-profit organizations with opportunities for dissemination of information on their activities and fundraising. For more information, visitwww.damariscottapumpkifest.com or follow us at www.facebook.com/damariscottapumpkfest.com, or www.twitter.com/squashbuckler.

Once again in 2017, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta™, is partnering with the Boothbay Railway Village, the Maine Maritime Museum, and the Farnsworth Art Museum for the second annual Maine’s Pumpkin Trail (MPT), a 50-mile long, event-filled tour of museums and festivals held between Labor Day and Halloween. To find out more about MPT, visit the MPT Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MainePumpkinTrail/ .