Since we were getting our porch repainted, of course I wanted to so some other…
How to Grow Pumpkins
If you love getting pumpkins each fall to cook, carve and decorate with, consider growing your own in the garden next year. Here are some tips to get healthy pumpkins of your own.
Depending on the variety you buy pumpkins can take 100-120 days to grow, so start from late-May to mid-June, based on your zone.Pumpkins are susceptible to mold and frost {which I learned one year unfortunately} so make sure you plant after the last threat of cold nights and mornings. Which varieties are the best to grow? Professionals recommend the Connecticut Field Pumpkin or the Jack O’ Lantern. Easy enough to remember right?
Make sure your pumpkins have lots of space for their vines, up to 50 feet or more. Plant when the soil is warm and water deeply only when needed.
According to the University of Illinois Extension
- Vining pumpkins require a minimum of 50 to 100 square feet per
hill. Plant seeds one inch deep (four or five seeds per hill). Allow 5
to 6 feet between hills, spaced in rows 10 to 15 feet apart. When the
young plants are well-established, thin each hill to the best two or
three plants. - Plant semi-bush varieties one inch deep (four or five seeds per
hill) and thin to the best two plants per hill. Allow 4 feet between
hills and 8 feet between rows. - Plant miniature varieties one inch deep, with two or three seeds
every 2 feet in the row. Rows should be 6 to 8 feet apart, with
seedlings thinned to the best plant every 2 feet when they have their
first true leaves. - Plant bush varieties one inch deep (1 or 2 seeds per foot of row)
and thin to a single plant every 3 feet. Allow 4 to 6 feet between
rows.
Pumpkins can be cultivated by leaving a 3-4 inch stem and cutting them off the vine when they are a deep orange color with sharp shears. There’s even tips on how to grow giant pumpkins in your home garden.
It can be such a treat to see that orange pumpkins peeking out from a field of green vines! Have you grown pumpkins at home? Any tips you want to share?
Love this, especially since I hope to plant some pumpkins next year! We have neighbours on our street who have planted some in their front yard. They have about 4 pumpkins and half their front lawn is vine.
Last year I grew pumpkins and ended up with a ton. This year, I’m growing decorative gourds. I’m thinking that I may have had better luck with the pumpkins. I’m a fellow 31 Day Blogger, blogging about 31 Days of Autumn Inspiration. I’m looking forward to seing all of your pumpkin ideas! Oh, and I’m your newest follower. :0)
I planted pie pumpkins. they kept flowering. nothing has grown, no sign of a baby bump. what do I need to do to get some beautiful little pumpkins to bake pies?
I plant pumpkin seed, they grow perfectly, made 100 big flowers but no pumpkins…. what can I do…?
We have tried pumpkins for a few years- and we got a few small ones pne year but for the most part we have not had any luck– we live in southern Arizona how much water do they take
For those who arnt getting pumpkins , fertilize! Fertilize right before the bloom opens . Try a compost tea as a fertilizer.