How to Plant a Pumpkin
Sow pumpkin seed in fertile, warm soil after danger of frost has passed.
Sow seeds directly in the garden.
Give large-fruited pumpkins plenty of room to grow.
For improved drainage sow in hills, of soil 12 inches in diameter, 6-8 inches tall.
Sow 4-6 seeds in groups about 3 inches apart. Each group should be about 4-6 feet apart. Cover with 1 inch of fine soil and firm lightly.
Keep evenly moist.
Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.
Do not plant pumpkins and other squash family crops in the same spot 2 years in a row.
How to Grow Pumpkins
Thin seedlings to 2-3 per group when they are 1-2 inches high
Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1-2 inches of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It’s best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
Pumpkins have both male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers will open first and the female flowers will open later. The female flower has a miniature fruit behind the blossom.
Do not move or step on vines as they are quite fragile.
Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.
If you are trying to grow extra-large pumpkins, allow only one fruit per plant to mature.
Beds of vigorous, sprawling pumpkin vines can be bordered by corn, towering pole beans, sunflowers and other trellised or vine vegetables.
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Harvest & Preserving Pumpkin
Pumpkins are ready to harvest when the rinds are hard and a rich shade of orange or white depending on the variety.
If a light frost kills the vines, the pumpkins are ready to harvest. Pumpkins are damaged by heavy frost.
Cut pumpkins from the vine with a pruning shears, leaving about 3 inches of stem attached.
Allow the pumpkins to cure in the sun for a week to harden skin.
Store pumpkins in a cool dry place.
Roast the seeds for a tasty snack.
