Compost And Pumpkins

**Must-Stash** · 03-16-2009, 12:37 AM

DH built me a large compost bin out of sight. He used fencing stakes and fence that's smaller at the bottom to keep smaller kritters like bunnies out. He made it 4 feet high to keep deer out. I've fed and tended this just as the compost sites online advise for about 5 years now.

It was 2 or 3 years ago though that the thing actually took on a life of it's own and turned out to be highly educational as well as lots of fun for the whole family, especially the grandchilren.

That particular year I noticed this very familiar healthy and large vine growing out of the compost. It bugged me that I couldn't remember what it was so I let it be. It multiplied itself and before long many such vines were growing their way right out of the fenced container. During that summer they grew out of their confinement in large numbers. The vines were as big around as small tree branches and averaged a good 20+ feet surrounding the entire perimiter of their containment.

Short story long........they were pumpkin vines. By October we had 28 very large, I mean huge, pumpkins.

My youngest GD reminded me that she had gifted me with a very small pumpkin she hand painted in kindergarten the year before. It was our decoration and centerpiece until we had to find it a new home in the compost.

Since that year I've been given every childs pumpkin to compost in the hope of a repeat. No luck so far. We keep trying. You never know.

**mzpepper** · 03-16-2009, 03:26 AM

All I've had grow out of my compost pile is potatoes. I usually keep my pumpkin seeds so that is probably why. Great fun with the kids isn't it!

**Trishagirl** · 03-16-2009, 08:20 AM

Neat story & very well fed pumpkins!

**Momto2Boyz** · 03-16-2009, 08:27 AM

Pumpkins are hit or miss! My brother left his all winter under my parents mailbox when we were kids and the next year, sure enough their was one growing there. He tried it again for several years and never got another one to grow!

I would think a compost pile with it's nutrient rich soil would be a great place for pumpkins to grow!

**Ceashels** · 03-16-2009, 09:30 AM

What a great story. I wonder if the compost is too hot for the seeds? You might want to experiment and place one on the perimeter and other spots in the bin.

That 28 pumpkin harvest though, is awesome!

**redmaples** · 03-16-2009, 10:47 AM

Great story!
Do you ever save the seeds from the kids pumpkins for eating or planting in the garden?

**danni** · 03-16-2009, 11:12 AM

The last 3 years I have had raspberries growing out of mine.

**onencgirl** · 03-16-2009, 11:54 AM

Wow... I would have never thought of something growing there but it does make sense.

**Must-Stash** · 03-16-2009, 02:44 PM

Ceashels, I bet you're right. Never would have thought of that myself. We usually mow around the pile. Even if I remember to skip it hubby will probably forget I will find a way to give that a try though.

Great idea. Much appreciated.

**Must-Stash** · 03-16-2009, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by redmaples

Great story!
Do you ever save the seeds from the kids pumpkins for eating or planting in the garden?

I've gone to container gardening only. Everything I plant in my garden is eaten by either deer, rabbits, wild turkey, raccoons, groundhogs, etc. Otherwise I'd love to.

**Must-Stash** · 03-16-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by danni

The last 3 years I have had raspberries growing out of mine.

Oh, Danni, I am soooooooo jelouse. I have black raspberry canes growing out in my field. I had originally planted a number of them in the side yard but hubby kept mowing them down so they decided to seek safety in the field, about 100 yards out in the field. After posting about the pumpkins, I had actually wondered if it would be worth transplanting some of those canes to the compost pile which, of course, is much more convenient.

**mrsfoamy** · 03-17-2009, 12:17 PM

I remember squashes growing out of our when I was a kid. I can't have a compost right now. Our neighborhood is having a severe critter problem. My husband owes it to the fires in Florida last year (our area was worst affected). It burned from the waters edge to within a mile of our home in 2 directions, so it being spring, things are getting busy!

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 03-21-2009, 09:23 PM

Watch out for raspberries growing by your compost. I had them next to my bins at my last house. It was terrible trying to get the compost out with all the raspberry roots entwined all amongst the finished compost. I would keep those away. At least pumpkins are only annuals. I have had pumpkins and tomatoes growing out of my compost many years. I try to transplant them elsewhere as I put a lot of stuff through my pile. We do kind of large scale composting with materials we gather up nearby (old produce and other people's leaves mostly) so that we have enough compost for our gardening.