![]() Pumpkins like tons of water when the flowers and fruits are forming. And if you don't already have flowers in your garden, plant pollinator-friendly plants including annuals or perennials to attract them! It's good for your pumpkins and all your other edibles, too. Good types for smaller gardens include Orange Smoothie, Blue Prince, and Pumpkin Pepitas.Īlthough pumpkins have both male and female flowers on one plant, they require pollinators (usually bees) to set fruit, so be wary about using pesticides. Read the package to ensure you're choosing a variety that will fit in your garden. ![]() Smaller types typically need about six square feet of ground. But "compact" is a relative term, and these vines still require plenty of room. While some pumpkin varieties can grow up to 20 feet long, many newer types are more compact. To make sure your crop has enough time to grow to full size before the first frost in the fall, read the seed package to learn the "days to maturity." Then count backwards from the first expected frost date (again, your local university coop can help you with this estimate) to determine the last date you can plant pumpkin seeds in your area. Or plant in early to mid-July if you want a fall crop for decorating or baking. Plant seeds after the last frost date in your area in spring (check with your local university coop extension service for an estimate of that date here). ![]() Some gardeners recommend planting them atop a hill or mound of soil, but that's not necessary." "Plant seeds three to five feet apart in full sun about an inch to 1.5 inches deep. "Pumpkins do best if you plant seeds directly in the ground," says John Esslinger, horticulture educator with Penn State Extension. Resistant varieties get the mildew just a few days later than the other varieties.Pumpkins are one of those crops that are best planted from seed because transplanting pumpkin seedlings can be iffy. You can add a little kelp based fertilizer to the mix. 1tsp baking soda and 1 quart of water with a squirt of dish soap, or 1 part milk to 9 parts of water. Spray any of the following at 7-10 day intervals. Several home-sprays are said to be somewhat effective. Powdery Mildew: An airborne fungal disease that causes white spots on the leaves at the end of the season. Per 100′ row: 60 seeds, per acre: 6.5M seeds. In optimal conditions at least 80% of seeds will germinate. Bring pumpkins in under cover before rain. If the weather is dry, allow the pumpkins to cure in the field for 10 days, or in a warm room for 4-5 days. For the best sugar content, cut the stem about 4cm (2″) or so from the body of the fruit. Like other winter squash, pumpkins are mature when they have coloured up well and their stems are crisp. The largest pumpkin varieties will grow on their sides. As the fruit develops, try to gently encourage it to grow at a 90° angle to the vine itself. Fruit will grow larger if you keep only one fruit per vine. Always water the soil, and avoid any form of overhead watering other than rain. Keep the huge plants well watered, particularly in hot weather. Discard these damaged fruits before they rot.įor the largest pumpkins, feed weekly throughout the growing season with fish or kelp based fertilizer. Incomplete pollination is common at the beginning of the season, and results in small fruits that are misshapen at the flower end. The female flowers have tiny fruits at the base of the petals and require pollination by bees, mostly. All pumpkins grow male flowers first, then the female flowers are produced. Dig in 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer under each plant. Dig in a generous quantity of finished compost and/or composted manure. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-draining soil. If starting transplants indoors, consider using the 12-cell plug inserts. ![]() Sow 3 seeds in each spot you want a plant to grow and thin to the strongest plant. ![]() Optimal soil temperature for germination: 25-35☌ (68-95☏). For transplants, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks after the last frost date. Try to get the plants into the ground no later than the summer solstice. Pumpkins for carving are thinner walled so kids can decorate them easily. Continue reading below for some key tips on how to grow pumpkins from seed.Įasy, but these big plants require lots of room.ĭirect sow or transplant in late spring when soil warms up. The thick walls of some pumpkins are wonderful for cooking and store well all winter. ![]()
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