u/skw4ll

Hi everyone! Time for your weekly update on my Normandy Howden pumpkins (grown from seeds brought back from beautiful Québec! 🇨🇦✈️🇫🇷).
Wow, what a week it has been. We just crossed an unprecedented heatwave here in Normandy, hitting a record-breaking 41°C (105.8°F) last Wednesday! I was honestly so worried about them, but these resilient plants handled the scorching sun like absolute champs.
Right now, the patch is bursting with life! There is an abundance of male flowers opening up every morning, and a few precious female flowers are finally showing up. I haven't done any manual pollination yet, so I'm letting nature and the local pollinators do their magic for now!
Some big news**:** I am heading out for my summer vacation this coming Friday, so this will be my last update until the end of July! 🧳✈️
To make sure my green babies stay happy and hydrated while I’m away, a good friend of mine will be stepping in to take over the watering duties. Before I leave on Friday morning, I’m going to give them one last big shot of potassium-rich tomato fertilizer to boost fruit development and strengthen the roots.
I’m sad to leave them for a bit, but I can't wait to see how much they grow by the time I get back!
Thank you all for the amazing support, advice, and kind words since the beginning of this project. Wishing you all a wonderful summer and happy gardening! See you in late July! 👋💚

Hi everyone!
Time for another quick weekly update on the Normandy Howden pumpkins.
I just finished watering them, and two days ago, I gave them a nice nutrient boost with some tomato fertilizer. As you can see, they are continuing to explode in size!
The big news this week: we have our very first female flower showing up! 🌸
Now, the next big challenge is going to be handling the upcoming heatwave (la canicule). I'm doing everything I can to keep the soil moist and the plants protected so they can survive the intense sun.
Wish me luck, and I'll keep you all posted on how they handle the heat!

Hi everyone!
About three weeks ago, I shared a post right after transplanting my young pumpkin seedlings here in Normandy, France (you can check out my original post on my profil)

Wanted to give you a quick update because they have grown so much since then! The weather has been typically humid, but the plants are absolutely loving it.
The starter "recipe" I used seems to be doing wonders:
The rich soil mix gave them a perfect base.
The coffee grounds and wood ash provided that extra nutrient boost.
And most importantly... the slug pellets saved the day! Under our wet Normandy climate, they were an absolute must-have, and I’m happy to report zero slug damage so far.
As you can see from the new photos, we've gone from tiny little seedlings to these massive, vibrant green leaves. They are spreading out beautifully along the wall. Next steps: keeping up with watering and waiting for the first blossoms to appear!
How are your patches looking? Any fellow European growers seeing this kind of growth lately? Let me know!

After an inspiring trip to a massive pumpkin patch in Quebec last October (my first time on a plane!), I’m more motivated than ever to step up my pumpkin game this year.
I’ve just transplanted my seedlings into the ground. Here’s the "recipe" I’m using to give them the best start:

1. Soil: Rich potting mix.
2. Nutrients: Coffee grounds and wood ash (for that extra boost).
3. Protection: Slug pellets (essential in the humid Normandy weather!).

Hoping for some giant ones by October! Any fellow European growers here?