[For ages 5-9 years old and 10-18 years old]

The Great Pumpkin Growing Contest! We’ll plant the seed for you. The challenge? Keep your pumpkin growing all summer long! Grow the heaviest pumpkin in your age group, and you’ll be crowned Pumpkin Master and win a prize!

CONTEST RULES

1: Pick up your pumpkin seedling from the Library! Each biodegradable pot contains two Connecticut Field pumpkin seeds. This variety is a pre-1700 cultivar of Native American origin. It is popular for large Halloween pumpkins. It grows to 15-20 lbs and is a slightly ribbed, orange pumpkin that varies in shape and size. It is great for canning, baking, pies, and carving!

2: For best results, plant your seed pot in the ground as soon as you bring it home. The seed pot is biodegradable and designed to be placed directly in the soil. Gently tear the bottom of the pot before you bury it to allow the roots to continue growing. Choose a spot to plant your pumpkin that will get at least 8 hours of full, direct sunlight. Dig a hole and place the pot in the ground so the ground soil is level with the pot's soil. You're receiving two seeds per pot, so during the season make sure to remove one of the seedlings to allow the other to flourish. By thinning to the strongest seedling, you are giving that seedling the best chance to thrive.

3. Once planted, give your pumpkin what it needs to grown big and healthy! It will let it grow and do its thing. It will need some regular care (water, fertilizer, etc.) until it is ready to harvest in the fall. 

4: Take a picture each month with you and your pumpkinas it grows on the vine. Submit the pictures, with your name and age each month to: pics@rcscommunitylibrary.org.

5: Take a final picture of you and your pumpkin when you harvest it!

6. Bring your harvested pumpkin to the RCS Community Library any time during the week of September 16-21 to have it weighed.  After all participants' pumpkins are weighed, the winners in each age group will be announced and win a prize!