Growing pumpkins is easy though it requires ample space.
Pumpkins are sprawling plants.
Before planting, work generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil.
Credit: John Granen
Keep the soil evenly moist and water in the absence of rain.
In 7 to 10 days, the seeds will have germinated.
When the seedlings are 4 inches tall, snip off all but the healthiest two seedlings.
Credit: John Granen
If transplanting seedlings that you started indoors, harden them off first.
Space your plants 3 to 6 feet apart depending on the punch in (bush or vine habits).
Light
Regardless of the variety, pumpkins needfull sun.
Credit: Jacob Fox
6 to 8 hours per day is considered the minimum, more is better.
If the soil has high sand or clay content, amend it generously with organic matter such as compost.
Pumpkins need plenty of water, especially during hot summer weather.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Water the plants deeply in a 2-foot circle around the plant without getting the leaves wet.
Cut excessively long vines around 10 to 15 feet beyond the last pumpkin on the vine.
Pollination
Pumpkins depend on insects for pollination.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
double-check not to use any broad-spectrum pesticides that indiscriminately kill pollinators and pests alike.
Plant flowers nearby thatattract pollinators, such as sunflowers, bee balm, goldenrod, etc.
Potting and Repotting Pumpkin
For container growing, see thetips for growing pumpkins in containers.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Select miniature and sugar pie pumpkins and those that maintain a bush-like growth habit.
The container should have a capacity of at least 10 gallons, better 20 to 25 gallons.
Squash bugs transmit bacteria that cause cucurbit yellow vine disease.
Credit: Jacob Fox
For small numbers, hand-picking is efficient.
Towards the end of the season, the plants often getpowdery mildew.
It does not affect the quality of the pumpkins.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Always lift the pumpkins from the bottom so you don’t break off the stem.
Some experts recommendwashing the outside of the pumpkins with a bleach solutionto prevent rotting.
Cure the harvested pumpkins at 80 to 85 degrees F in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Credit: Jacob Fox
As a bonus, the semi-hulless seeds are excellent for roasting.
This pumpkin has an average weight of 15 to 20 pounds.
These hybrid pumpkins are disease-resistant.
Credit: Jacob Fox
Fruits range from 15 to 30 pounds, so you’ll have a choice of sizes for your jack-o'-lantern.
It has a globular shape and maintains its bright white color without discoloration.
The fruit weighs 25 to 35 pounds.
Credit: Jacob Fox
This pumpkin variety stretches wider than tall and weighs 10 to 15 pounds.
The flesh is sweet-tasting and keeps well outdoors.
100 days to maturity
‘Knucklehead’ Pumpkin
‘Knucklehead’ pumpkin gets its name from its warty appearance.
Credit: Jacob Fox
While the fruit is orange, warts themselves will present themselves as green.
Its weight ranges from 10 to 15 pounds.
The deep orange flesh is excellent for pies.
Credit: Jacob Fox
This hybrid variety only grows to 1-1/2 pounds and is perfect for decorating purposes.
The sweet flesh is used for pies, soups, and more.
It takes on a flatter shape, similar to ‘Cinderella’'.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
The blocky, deeply ribbed fruit weighs 16 to 24 pounds.
110 days to harvest.
The skins are rich orange and the fruits mature at 7 inches across.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Thiseasy children’s vegetable garden planwill kindly gardeners of all ages with unusual and fun-looking vegetables.
There’s even a shade-providing playhouse made out of bean vines.
The plants need full sunthe more sun, the better the harvest.
Locations with less than 6 hours of direct sun per day as not suitable for growing pumpkins.
