How it all started

A few years ago I lived in that vibrant area of west London known as Hounslow.

On a trip to the supermarket (Safeway for those who can remember it - its closed now) I got a pumpkin, I carved it and made some pie from the inside, I also kept the seeds.

In 2009, I germinated some seeds between some sheets of moist tissue paper, put that in a used butter container and put it on the window sill, a few days later, some sprouted, others didn't so I put ALL my seeds in the pot and withing a week or so they had nearly all started sprouting, I was running out room. I gave some plants away and planted some in my garden.

Quite quickly the plants took advantage of the sun and nice home I had provided for them and the result was rather unsurprisingly, Pumpkins!

Here is a photo of my first born, known affectionatly as Pumpy:

Here is another one of him when he is just about to turn orange:

He wasn't alone, his little brother (little Pumpy) also grew in the same garden:

From these humble beginings, my interest in growing these plants has increased which is why I am now looking at growing a giant pumpkin next year.

I have read almost everything I can online, I've played about with supermarket seeds, now is the time to get the Pumpkin Patch ready for next year.