I would like to grow a 1/4 acre pumpkin patch (100x150’) in Charlotte NC zone 8a starting in June 2023 to harvest in Early October 2023. The land I want to use has 10hrs of sunlight, access to ourdoor water faucet and is currently a flat lawn. I have access to a big horse rear rotatiller, 5 gallon back pack sprayer, enough black woven ground cover to cover the entire area and can get leaf compost for $15/yd and composted horse manure with bedding for $20/yd imported. I’d like to get 700 to 1000 pumpkins out of the patch. I’m hoping to get a $500 to $2000 grant to fund the project and I’ll be realilistic I’ll probabaly be doing almost all the work in the summer, but will have lots of help to harvest from the school parents and kids in the fall. We have a city tool rental place where I can get wheel barrels, pruning shers rented for $1/wk. Most internet articles deal with just growing a few pumpkin plants in the back yard or thousands of them over a few acres.
My plan was to import leaf compost and horse manure and rotatil a row of good amended clay soil and put black woven ground cover plastic between the rows. I’d set up a drip irrigation system and use water soluable fertilizers several times during the summer to feed them more. My main concern is with squash vine border bugs and powdery mildew. I’ve never really used fugicides or insecticides and was wondering if there was equipment that could be recommended, becuse Im sure it would take forever with a 5 gallon back pack sprayer.
This guy grew 300 on 1/8 of an acre without irrigation so I think my numbers are doable. Pumpkin Garden Harvest SO Incredible It’s SPOOKY! - YouTube
Seeds will cost about $150, soil amendments $2000. Fertilizer about $600. What else should I request in my grant and general advise please.