Pumpkin 'Big Max'

This one's a whopper! Given plenty of water, feeding and space Big Max can easily produce 100lb pumpkins and is apparently the preferred choice of American professional pumpkin competitors because it's not only big, its prettier than most other giant varieties. It has smooth bright orange skin sometimes splashed with pink and makes superb novelty decorations for Hallowe'en. Very tasty in pies and soups.

Sowing Instructions

Sow in April or May 1cm deep in pots of moist seed compost. Place in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag until seedlings appear. When seedlings have two or three leaves transplant them into 5ins pots and grow on for several weeks. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out 6ft apart in rich well drained soil in a sunny sheltered position. Can be grown in a polytunnel. Harvest the fruits from late summer onwards. Pick any remaining fruits before first frosts and store in frost free conditions. If very lsrge pumpkins are required, allow only one fruit to grow on each plant.