I have just spoke to the very lovely Natasha in Sonairte. They do grow pumpkins. On a farm. One can visit the farm but not ‘pick your own’. They do however sell them at their market and supply others with pumpkins too. *And they grow organic pumpkins
Hope this helps
peter

@maeve
thanks so much. Really appreciate it…. if I’m not mistaken… I believe I met Lispopple Apples at Bloom ‘09… ?
brilliant stuff and thank you
peter

Apologies for my delayed reply. Yes you are correct once again – all approved Quality Assurance Scheme approved growers. I would suggest as you put it “Joe Public” to go direct to Lispopple Apples, Denise Buckley and Ballycross Apple Farm, Christian Engelbrechten as the other two quality assured growers would be more for the trade.

I hope this helps!

I have found the perfect solution

watch this space…..

thanks for that Maeve. However… with regard to ‘Joe public’ walking in off the street I’ll assume that Lispopple apples are [maybe] the only ones who will allow people to walk in off the street and maybe buy/ pick 50 pumpkins…. and also I will assume that the list you have given does not include all pumpkin growers but moreso just those registered with Bord Bia.

best wishes
peter

@ali
lispopple growers are based in Swords and can be contacted on 01 8132702 or 01 8401530.
You might let me know how you get on.

Best of luck
peter

You were asking about Pumpkin growers/producers in Ireland. The following producers have listed Pumkins among the produce that they produce. They are all approved under the HQAS.

Keelings – Van Dijk Nurseries Ltd, Gerald Eva (Grower)

Lispopple Apples, Denise Buckley (Grower).

Ballycross Apple Farm, Christian Engelbrechten (Grower).

Southeast Vegetable Producers Ltd, Noel Hayes (Grower).

I hope this is helpful for you and your readers in the run up to Halloween!

Kindest regards to you all,
Maeve

I believe [i'm almost sure] there is one in Lusk/ Rush, North County Dublin….
That said I’ve put the message out…. Lets see if I can get a more exact response
http://twitter.com/doneganland/statuses/4912437208

peter

the pics are really cool

isn’t it brilliant when something so small and possibly simple can bring such a smile

it’s cheered up my day a little more. Happiness rating = 101%

slán go foill
peter

since yoour letter, I have not cared to check my pot or garden for sprouts. Today, As i was walking my dog around our backyard, i glanced upon my garden! i saw an odd weed (this garden is very messy full of misc. plants that have been dropped their) I dug it up and found on the end, my pumpkin seed! there has been a slight warmth in weather lately but i didnt think of it as much to matter. when i figured out this was a sprout, i looked everywhere!
i found a few more and planted them in a small “patch”. as this had gotten my hopes up, i check the one i had planted in a pot in my garage. sure enough it already had one sprout. here is my blog were i have some pics posted for you!

http://www.skullcandy22.wordpress.com

firstly my grandmother grew a lemon tree from seed in Dublin years ago… so there are rules to increase chances of how suvvessful a seed is – but sometimes even with perfect conditions it doesn’t work out in ones favour.

That said – the soil is cold and clumpy, it is in the garage and temperatures are on the lower side [?]. Chances of ‘WILL THEY GROW’ at this stage are on the lower side – that nearer to no…

However….
I might suggest, the depth of the seed should be 2 x times its diameter below ’soil’ level.
The ’soil’ is changed to a compost – to make it easier for it to germinate.
The pot is sterilized [in milton baby bottle sterilizing liquid for example/ just a quick wash] to prevent damping off [ie death at seedling stage].
The pot is put on your kitchen window ledge – kitchens are generally warm, humid[er] and south facing.

best of luck
peter
ps.I hope this helps – if it is only a few days ago & in the conditions described the seed should not have started to germinate/ develop yet.

i think thats brilliant!

it did come up in conversation, a lot! and i *believe* there is one in Lusk/ Rush North Dublin – but, as to whether it is an ‘official pumpkin farm’ [ie open to the general public] I am unsure. That said, and as you can gather… there hasn’t been much of a response [online] as to where one would find pumpkins covering the land.

I wish I knew… but i will put it out on twitter [http://blog.doneganlandscaping.com/2008/10/16/follow-me-on-twitter/] and hope that something comes up! If it does believe me – it will be posted here first.

for the moment – fingers crossed!
peter

thanks,
amanda

@Joan Walsh
No problem Joan I hope i was of some help. You might keep me posted on how that works for you this year and next. I think the whole thing about my own is that it works the same as anybody elses getting no special treatment but the use of my knowledge. Sunflowers are brilliant – something my Father used to do with me. Enjoy!
slán agus beannacht
peter

this is qite difficult to explain in writing without actually seeing but… in horticulture i believe you can do anything you like when you like if the understanding is there… here goes!

I think your talking about the tomato ‘grow bags’ which are the long flat plastic ones. For mine I transplanted a few weeks ago. Re yours: with four or five leaves/ in the porch – i assume they’re in pots and therefore should be almost pot bound [depending on pot size of course!]/ have a good root system.

To be honest there’s not much special treatment from me. I put them out in the garden. normal soil. no feed. just keep the weeds away and let nature take its course. They should be fine for October-ish – of course Irelands weather may play havoc with that. I’ll put up a pic of them in the post as updat so you can see.

Any other hassles – you know where I am now!
slan go foill – and enjoy!
peter
ps. was that helpful enough