big max, prize winner, and dills atlantic giants are all the same plant (Cucurbita maxima). just that the atlantic giant have ben breed to grow bigger. but there are some thangs you can do to get them to grow bigger. first bury the vines. at every leaf you will get a bottom root, but when buried they will have a root from bottom and top of the vine. second limit the number of fruit to plant. i have seen some big max with just one fruit that was close to 300lbs. hope this helps.

Book II is the best I feel for a new grower. Book III gets more indepth to the specifics. Heck find a experienced grower near you to help mentor you is better than any book out there. What do you have for seeds this year? Shannon

Oh, I can relate to that. (Not having time to plant.) I have seeds that are five or six years old that I'm sure will have at least a 10 percent germination rate left in them, if I can ever get them in the ground. This summer, I planted almost all of my old pumpkin seeds directly out in piles of aged manure -- and got a really miserable germination rate. But the seven plants that made it (out of nearly 70 seeds, I'm sure) grew really well -- we were blessed with great weather this year. Next year, I'm going to start the pumpkin seeds in pots where I can keep an eye on them. And maybe I'll even get the blueberries in the ground (they've only been in a pot for two years -- I hope they survive one more winter in the green cellar). Thanks for the tip -- I'll take a look at Douglas's thread. Good luck next year! M.

I just ordered my three $8.00 Atlantic Giant pumpkins seeds from Dills. I live in Ripon CA, surrounded by Almond trees. Looking to get plugged into a forum where I can get some information on how to do it right this time. My eight year old is depending on me to grow a big one. Been unsuccessful the past two years. I'm a novice at this. Dill's has some decent information on their website on how to grow; wondering what other good info is out there for a novice. Just having someone to ask questions would be helpfull.