There is a smallish, solar-powered, electric fence charger, for under $100. If you get one of them, and run a strand of electric wire around the planned patch, it should keep the cows out. If you put a notice up in the local feed store, etc., you might get one used for less. The larger version says it is good for a couple of miles of fence, so a little one should do for a pumpkin patch. You just mount it on a T-post, facing south, and pound in a ground rod next to it. It will need to charge for a full day before you hook it to the fence, but you can do that prior to building the fence. It has a battery, so it can cope with a few cloudy days. And, as nosy as cows are, I would put the post and charger INSIDE the fence! If solar won't work because of too little sun, there are battery powered ones, running off either 9-volt batteries or car batteries. You do need to change the batteries, but they should keep the cows away. As far as I know, cows will eat ripe pumpkins, so they will probably eat the vines and immature ones as well. You WILL have to direct the vines back inside the fence as they grow, since they spread far and wide. If your grandad has any spoiled hay, it would make a good mulch, keeping the pumpkins off the wet ground and keeping the soil moster, making watering less critical.

Vicki, I grew three (medium?) pumpkins weighing 74lbs, 50lbs, and 46lbs on one vine last year. The rest were pinched off. This was without irrigation, and with 20 gallons of hand delivered water a day. With regular water, you might be able to sneak several more 50lbs pumpkins on the same vine. The absolute best way I've seen to grow a big one was to fill a 6'x 30'x 3'deep trench with aged horse manure/ compost and run an irrigation line directly under the length of the vine. They bury the main vine and trim off most secondary vines. You should probably pinch off some of those pumpkins on the giant plant. My preferred method is to gently twist off the blossom on the females while they are still green. Don't go out of your way to pinch off a lot of the jack o' lanterns. If you are going to build a raised bed next year, you might also want to invest in quality seed. It will make a big difference. Here is a link that might be useful: Premium Seed

Ohhh, I was just going to use that crust from Ohiomom's cranberry-pear pie...it was so good! Now I am thinking that ginger snap crust sounds too good to pass up!! Alas, I'm just not that hungry today so I am going to make the pie tomorrow. Maybe that will give me time to find a good crust recipe and to chill it...mmm, I did go out and buy ground ginger for those gingerbread men last week...so I'm ready for trying a new crust! Wheeeeeeeeee, this is fun!

That's interesting and something I didn't know. Thanks!