Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Seeds

Start Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost, or direct-sow once soil temperature holds above 70°F. Plant Atlantic Pumpkin seeds 1 inch deep, and if starting indoors use large pots since the taproot resents disturbance. Atlantic Giant Pumpkin seeds germinate in 5-10 days at consistent warmth. If your place runs cold use a heat mat. Space plants 8-10 feet apart at minimum, because these vines run further than almost any other garden crop. Transplant seedlings carefully after hardening off, keeping the root ball intact to avoid transplant shock.

Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin seed needs full sun, at least 6-8 hours daily, to fuel the growth rate these plants are known for. Soil should be deep, rich in compost or aged manure, and slightly acidic to neutral in pH — heavy feeders like this variety strip nutrients fast. Watering needs to stay deep and consistent, roughly 1-2 inches per week, increasing once fruit starts sizing up. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering, since damp leaves invite powdery mildew on a plant already prone to it. A drip line at the base works better than overhead sprinklers for this reason.

Feed Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin plants heavily through the season, nitrogen early for vine growth, then a switch to phosphorus and potassium once fruit sets. Growers aiming for maximum size typically select one fruit per plant and remove the rest, redirecting all the plant's energy into that single pumpkin. Rotate the developing fruit slightly every week or two so it doesn't root into the soil on one side. Harvest once the rind hardens and the stem starts drying out, usually 120-140 days from planting, cutting with several inches of stem attached to prevent rot.