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San Jose

I just moved to a new house and only have a 10ft X 32ft strip (don't laugh). Is it possible to grow the main right next to the fence, so no secondaries on that side. I am only
looking for a 400-500 porch pumpkin. I have grown 900 lb pumpkins on my old 250 sq ft patch, so I know how to grow.
Is this possible?

10/19/2025 4:50:03 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Yes, it is called the flag pattern with secs on just one side. I have also seen someone grow right down the middle of a narrow strip with 4-5 foot heavily rooted secondaries.

10/19/2025 7:24:10 PM

Grittyville, WA

Agree, it can be productive area no matter how you do the vines. Also the vines might climb the fence, if given a way to do so.

10/20/2025 12:13:20 AM

Germany

Check out the plant pattern in this post:

https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=304512

In your case it should allow for 8 secondaries on each side of the main, it could be helpful to get most out of a rather narrow plot.

[Last edit: 10/20/25 7:17:33 AM]

10/20/2025 7:17:24 AM

South of Buffalo

I grow in a very small area that you can see in my diaries (https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=298396) and (https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=277070) the 2nd pic shows the full length which is very small by the driveway opening and that space has a record of 862#. I typically grow 2 in this space...1 forward toward the driveway opeing and 1 the other way. I have grown up to 1580 in the slightly larger of the 2 areas. I grow up the middle while turning and pulling the initial sides backwards and turing the later sides forward. I could also do the flag pattern but havent done that so far.

[Last edit: 10/20/25 8:34:01 AM]

10/20/2025 8:28:54 AM

San Jose

Thanks for your ideas, I see I will need to be creative with my sec vine placements. Since I have a long main length to play with, should I grow the kin out maybe 20+ ft on the main, and is there any benefit to have vines after the kin?

10/21/2025 7:09:38 PM

Germany

In my opinion, the most productive greenery is the stuff that grew before pollination. Thereafter, the plant will dedicate more energy and juice flow toward the fruit, whereas other parts (roots, new leaves) may suffer. Hence, in case of a rather small growing area I would try to fill that area to about 60-70% before pollination. As to the main vine, in my experience it happened very often that the main slowed down dramatically after DAP 20. Therefore, I would try to fill the remaining area with some of the strongest secondaries that are closest to the fruit. Try to keep a limited number of vine tips alive for as long as possible (for that the plant may feel young and strong). The main could be one of them. Terminating the main has advantages and disadvantages...such as easier positioning of the fruit vs. no further chance of getting a "plan B" fruit pollinated on the main vine, respectively.

[Last edit: 10/22/25 9:59:08 AM]

10/22/2025 9:57:59 AM