Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1464956
By Karen Rice Melissa Bond was born and raised in Miami, Oklahoma and relocated to Northwest Arkansas in the early 1990's. She has worked in education for the last 21 years at Gentry Public Schools and is currently at Gentry High School Conversion Charter. She's also active in the Student Ministry program at First Baptist Church Highfill where she has been a member for the last 30 years. "I have always had a passion for children/teenagers and love helping them whether it is with their education or their spiritual lives," she says. However, five years ago Melissa found something else to be passionate about— growing pumpkins. In 2017, she planted her first pumpkin patch. Local educator finds a passion for pumpkins Land giants of the 1. Preparing the soil. I had the soil tested at the local county extension office. Based on the results I amended the soil with lime and fertilizer. 2. Germinated the seeds on a heat mat under a grow light inside my house. I put the plants in the ground around mid May after the danger of frost. 3. It is important to protect the plants from weather and animals. A good fence around the perimeter is crucial. 4. Once the plant started vining I trained the vines in the direction I wanted them to grow. I used bamboo sticks to guide them. 5. The main vine needs to grow around 15 feet out with the secondary vines growing to around 8 feet out. 6. Remove flower buds to allow for maximum vine growth until you have Melissa's steps for growing her first giant pumpkin: 18 2022 Benton County Fair