2026 Pumpkin Growing Contest

2026 BIG PUMPKIN CONTEST RULES

ELIGIBILITY

Entries must be grown within a 100-mile radius of Nodaway County.

To be eligible for prizes, all entrants must register and pay the $10 registration fee by June 15, 2026.

Only one winner is eligible per household.

TO REGISTER

• Participants may register at the following:

  • online at downtownmaryvillemo.com/pumpkin-contest

  • The volunteer tent during Spring into Fun on Saturday, May 9, from noon to 5 p.m.

  • The Downtown Maryville Market from Saturday, May 16 to June 13 from 8 a.m. to noon

  • at the Downtown Maryville Executive Director’s office in City Hall, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until June 15, 2026.

    • Forms and fees may be dropped off at the office

• Payment will be needed at the time of registration, and participants will need to complete the registration form.

• A $10 fee is required at the time of registration.

SEEDS

• As part of registration, Downtown Maryville will provide genetically superior seeds from last year’s contest winners.

  • Quantities are limited, so register early.

  • Seeds were harvested from two previous contest winners - 833 and 570-pound whoppers.

• Seeds will be available during in-person registration while supplies last. Seeds can also be requested through online registration.

• Entrants may use seeds from other sources.

PRIZES

• More than $1,500 will be awarded in prize money for largest pumpkins and entries closest to 100, 200 and 300 pounds. (Must be + or – 25 pounds of X00 weight at weigh-in.)

• Prize categories are as follows:

1st Place- $500

2nd Place- $400

3rd Place- $300

Closest to 100lbs- $100

Runner-up $50

Closest to 200lbs- $100

Runner-up $50

Closest to 300lbs- $100

Runner-up $50

WEIGH-IN

Pumpkins over 20 inches in diameter: Thursday, October 8

4-7 p.m.

Consumers Oil Co.

101 N. Depot

**Pumpkins must be on a standard 42x48 wooden pallet

Pumpkins less than 20 inches in diameter: Friday, October 9

4-7 p.m.

Downtown Pocket Park

Corner of Main and Third Street

JUDGING

• Weights and pumpkin certification will be determined at weigh-in.

• Pumpkins with cracks, holes, splits, or evidence of injection or tampering to add weight will be disqualified.

• The decision of the judges is final.

DISPLAY

• By entering, growers agree to allow Downtown Maryville or its designees to transport, display, and decorate their entries by painting, carving, or other enhancements, and to allow their entries to remain on display until October 31, 2026.

PICK UP

• Pumpkins not selected for display by the organization must be picked up by 8 p.m. Saturday, October 10.

• Downtown Maryville is not responsible for pumpkins remaining after 8 p.m.

SEEDS OF WINNING ENTRIES

• By entering, growers agree to allow Downtown Maryville to claim one-half of the seeds contained in the top three winning entries for distribution in future contests.

ENTRY DEADLINE

All participants must register (either online or in-person) by June 15, 2026 and pay the $10 entry fee to be eligible for prize money.

Pumpkin growing tips

Soil

It is recommended that you do a fall soil test and make sure to incorporate organic matter such as composted manure or leaf litter in addition to adding sulfur or lime to achieve a pH of 6.7 to 7.2. Adjust other nutrients based on soil test recommendations.

Seed

Most of the award-winning giant pumpkins are from Dill’s Atlantic Giant seeds. Numerous catalogs and garden centers carry seeds capable of growing pumpkins in excess of 400 pounds. However, monster growers trade and sell seeds from their giants. You can find these online. Following online registration, growers may be provided seeds from our previous year’s grand prize winners.

Planting

You may want to start seeds indoors in late April or early May (it takes about 150 days to grow a giant) in 4” to 6” peat pots. After soaking the seeds for approximately one hour, the plant pointed end down 3/4 to 1” deep in your planting medium. Move outdoors when the danger of frost has passed. A hoop house or high tunnel can be used early in the season to provide a warmer environment for your plants.

Pollination

Once plants begin to bloom, you will see that male and female blossoms are not the same. The female blossom, which will become a fruit, has a small ball at the base. The male does not. You may choose to hand pollinate by removing petals from a male blossom and gently dabbing them on a female blossom (this method may also be used to cross-pollinate between two plants). Pinch off all but 2 female blossoms and all of the male blossoms once fruits begin to form.

Culling, Pruning and Spreading

As pumpkins reach softball size, remove all but one to allow all of the plant’s energy to into producing one large fruit. Prune off lateral shoots from the main vine and bury this juncture in a shallow trench where it can take root and provide additional nutrients to your pumpkin. Before it gets too large, you should place your pumpkin on a pallet to keep it from contact with the soil and to allow for later means of harvest.

Protecting from...

...Weather - Sun and wind can be detrimental to pumpkin growing. A wind barrier can prevent vines from being “wind-whipped” prior to being fully rooted. A sunscreen can protect fruits from extreme sun and prevent premature hardening of the outer skin.

...Weeds - Hand-weed or hoe until vines cover the ground and foliage shades out most weeds. Mulch can also help control weeds and keep your pumpkin from direct contact with the soil.

... Insects and Disease - Without regular scouting for insects and diseases, your success in growing a giant pumpkin is greatly reduced. Striped cucumber beetles can transmit bacterial wilt, and aphids can vector viruses. Once bacterial or viral infections occur, they are unstoppable. Squash bugs and squash vine borers also need to be controlled. Powdery mildew is a common problem, and other bacterial diseases like leaf spot and soil-borne diseases are common with wet weather conditions and are not easily controlled.

...Critters - Many animals, including deer, porcupines, ground hogs, squirrels and rodents, can feast on your pumpkins, and you should take steps to protect your crop. Fencing the area, critter repellants and live traps are recommended.

Fertilization and Irrigation

As your pumpkin grows, a constant supply of water and fertilizer is essential. A minimum of one inch of water per week and weekly additions of a complete fertilizer. Water early in the day to allow foliage to dry and reduce the possibility of disease. Growers should avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they may inhibit fruit growth.