Do you want to begin growing pumpkins in your garden? Here's how to do it

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Growing Pumpkins

Connecticut Field pumpkins are the most typical pumpkins grown by commercial growers and those who want to grow them for their own use.

This pumpkin is the type used for Halloween, when the time comes for carving jack-o-lanterns. Orange in color and growing from 10 to 20 pounds, Halloween would just not seem the same without the pumpkin.

Planting Pumpkins

If you want to begin growing pumpkins make sure you have plenty of space. At least a spot of six feet by eight feet is needed.

Planting pumpkin seeds can be started inside approximately three weeks before the last frost is expected. The warmer climates that have longer seasons for growing gardens can direct sow the seeds. The seeds should be planted in hills. Put between 3 to 6 seeds in each hill.

The normal space between the hills or mounds should be about 5 feet all around. This will allow the pumpkin vines to spread. The pumpkins will vine up fences but they must be made of a strong material.

It is not unusual for pumpkin vines to have up to 9 pumpkins on them. Check your soil pH. It should be between 6.0 and 6.5. The soil should also be a rich and have very good drainage.

Harvesting Pumpkins

Times for harvesting will vary for different types of pumpkins. Anywhere from 90 days to 110 days is typical for growing pumpkins of the common variety.

They like a long growing season and full sun. The pumpkin that is ready for harvest should be consistent in color and not give when pressed with your fingernail. The vines normally will dry up or shrivel.

The pumpkin should be cut from the vine with a pruner and about 2 to 4 inches of the stem should be left.

How to care for pumpkins

When the seedlings emerge they should be thinned out to only 2 or 3 plants that appear to be the strongest. Mulch is good for using around the plants to keep moisture in and weeds out.

Placing something such as boards under the pumpkins will keep them from rotting by touching the ground. Pumpkins require about 2 inches of water per week. If you turn them a slight bit each week it will help keep them proportional.

Pumpkin Pests

Pumpkins are prone to infestation from cucumber beetles and squash bugs. It helps not to plant these vegetables close by. Many people find that by planting radishes around the hills where the pumpkins are planted, this repels squash beetles.

Also planting nasturtiums or petunias in the same area will help to cut down on squash bugs as well as cucumber beetles.

Problems: Squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Avoid planting close a relative, like cucumbers or squash. Companion Planters can try planting petunias or nasturtiums nearby to repel the squash bugs and circling each hill at planting with radishes, to ward of squash beetles.

Growing pumpkins can be a fun project to share with children. Watching them grow and mature in time for Halloween will be loads of enjoyment for them.

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