Scarecrow committee urges residents to start growing pumpkins for contest

FALLBROOK – When Scarecrow Days return to Fallbrook in October, the third annual ‘Biggest Pumpkin’ contest will be held. The contest will be held on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Fallbrook Fall Faire in the heart of downtown on Main Ave. and the Fallbrook Scarecrow Committee will award a cash prize for the biggest pumpkin.

Committee members say now is the time to prepare a pumpkin patch and offer the following helpful tips:

• Work compost into the soil, but avoid too much nitrogen. Nitrogen will increase leaf development, but reduce fruit development.

• Choose a location with plenty of good soil and lots of sun.

• Cover the soil with black plastic at least a week before planting.

• Cut a slit in the plastic and plant the seeds.

• Pumpkins like ample water - watering in the morning and using a drip system is best. Avoid getting water on the leaves.

• Remove female fruit (they have a small swelling at the base of the bloom) for the first three weeks.

• Only allow three to four pumpkins per vine to get the biggest and best.

• Optional: Carve the grower’s name or initials in the pumpkin when they are small and it will grow with the pumpkin.

Watch for more details about the pumpkin contest as Scarecrow Days draw closer. For more information, call Jackie Heyneman at (760) 728-5395.