Whether you use them for carving or cooking, pumpkins do not disappoint. Here’s how to plant, grow, and harvest pumpkins!
Did you know pumpkins have been grown in North America for almost 5,000 years? It’s a lot of fun to grow this American native. However, note that pumpkins do require a long growing season (generally from 75 to 100 frost-free days) so you need to plant them by late May in northern locations to early July in extremely southern states.
Wait until ALL danger of frost has passed and the soil is warmed, as the seedlings of this tender crop will be injured or rot. Find your local frost dates here.
That said, pumpkins are easy to maintain if you have the space.
Of autumn’s wine, now drink your fill;
The frost’s on the pumpkin, and snow’s on the hill.
–The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1993
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Leaves with white spots
You might have mildew -- if so, a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water and sprayed on liberally works for me. YOu can also look for other mildew cures.
what can you use to kill weeds in pumpkin patch
Looking for something that we can spray or sprinkle to kill weeds in the pumpkin patch that won't kill or discolor the pumpkins. We live in MN.
Removing weeds
Use a hoe. It's organic. Any weedkiller might also harm insects like spiders or even hedgehogs, which are your friends.
kill weeds in pumpkin patch
I was just going to suggest using your hands to remove the weeds. 100% organic.
Pesticides in the Pumpkin Patch
But what if I get bugs? Then, what should I use?
Organic control
If it’s squash bugs (ugly little buggers that stick their feeding tubes into vines and fruit and duck out the juices), I’ve controlled them with a spray of Neem oil concentrate and water - only do this at night when the flowers are closed or you’ll kill the bees that are necessary for getting more fruits. If your problem is caterpillars use Thuricide it’s a targeted pathogen (it only kills caterpillars).
Organic Pesticides
Thank you!
Eew!
Squash bugs?!? That is so gross!
Accidental pumpkin patch
The people who lived in my apartment before me left a rotting pumpkin in the bushes, and lucky for me, it seems to be growing into a very healthy plant now! Due to the fact that I didn't realize what it is until tonight, I haven't done anything to help it grow or keep it healthy. But I've already got two little pumpkins growing out of it. What should I do NOW? Clearly I don't have the upper hand in preparing the plant, but now that I know what it is, I'm determined to get a few pumpkins from it.
Rotting pumpkin
The trouble is, you don't know what type you've got, and it might be a hybrid because it's possibly one type fertilised by another type that created the seeds that are growing. Fun, random luck, but if you want to take it seriously, grow a type you've researched. I recommend spaghetti squash to amuse kids, or uchiki kuri for a sweet-potato like taste.
Pumpkin patch
I have a 10 by 10 pumpkin patch, and all of my plants are doing well. Many already have vines and blooms. The patch is now very full, should I worry about thinning and which ones do I choose to keep? This is my first pumpkin patch, any advice would be helpful!!! Thanks!
pumpkin thinning
There are main vines (coming from the base/center of the plant), secondary vines which come off of the main ones, and tertiary vines that grow off of the secondaries. All of these may have flowers. Once fruit has started to develop on the vines, some gardeners like to prune the main and secondary vines to 10 to 15 feet (burying the cut tips in soil). Then they remove the tertiary vines completely. Others go a step further and trim the main and secondaries so that each only has 2 to 3 pumpkins developing on them (keeping several feet of vine/leaves past the last fruit). Hope this helps!
Pumpkin
I have several plants my granddaughters planted and they are blooming, the problem is the blooms are falling off and its like someone is cutting them off so no pumpkin on the stem. Anyone know what is causing this? Have lost about 10 so far like this.
pumpkin flowers dropping off
There are several reasons why pumpkin flowers may drop. If you sure that it isn’t a pest, then check to see if these flowers are male. The male flowers appear earlier (a few weeks) than the female ones, and can drop after a while. Unlike the male flowers, the female flowers have a little bulge at the base, which will turn into the pumpkin once pollinated. If these are not pollinated, the female flowers will drop. Also, in high heat (in the 90s or above), or during drought or other stress, the plant may drop its flowers. Be sure that the plant is getting enough water (but is not waterlogged), and check the soil nutrients and pH. If you are experiencing a heat wave, you might shade the plant during peak temperatures. New flowers should form once temperatures or other conditions become better. Male flowers should also keep forming when female flowers start to appear. If you suspect a pollination issue, you might dry dusting pollen from a male flower onto a female flower by hand–heat can affect pollination as well, but this can at least increase the chance for fruit development.
Keeping insects off of your plants.
Sprinkle salt and black pepper on plants to keep off insects.I use this method on my tomatoes and pumpkins It works for me .
Kenneth,
Kenneth,
Do you just take a salt and pepper shaker to do this? Or do I need to mix them? Currently dealing with bugs on my tomatoes... I think they are little black flies?
leaves wilting during heat of the day
Is it normal for the leaves on a pumpkin vine to wilt during very hot days? Is there anything that can be done about it? I've watered and watered but they burn and curl after a while. I've even tried shading them.
Hopefully you’ve already
Hopefully you’ve already discovered the reason for your pumpkin issues but have you check for the Squash Vine Borer? It is my arch enemy every year. If the vine borer has gotten to it, that could be causing your wilting problems during the day. Unfortunately if you haven’t already caught this then your pumpkins are probably done for
Wilting pumpkin leaves
Don't worry about leaves wilting during the heat of the day as long as they recover by morning. I would worry about the leaves turning brown. Don't water the leaves, water the ground as much as possible. Don't shade the plants they want lots of sun. Squash are very hardy plants so just be patient.
Pumpkins needed In Spring
Hello,
I'm on a commercial and am in need of some pumpkins for June 27th in Los Angeles. Would love it if anyone has a clue where to find Pumpkins this time of year... Am willing to pay for shipment from anywhere in the USA. THANK YOU!
Pumpkin fruit
I have a problem with my pumpkin.As soon as the fruit is formed and grows as big as a tennis ball the plant drops the fruit..May I have some suggestions please? Thanks
Pumpkin Dropping Fruit
When pumpkins drop their flowers or fruit, it’s usually a sign that they aren’t getting enough water. While they are growing their fruit, they should be watered regularly and kept moist. Extremely hot summer temperatures can exacerbate this problem, too. Using a drip irrigation system is ideal, as it will provide consistent watering right at the soil level.
how to grow pumpkin in small space
How to grow pumpkins in small space.If you have a large medium square planter pot which is perfect for anyone who is beginning to learn about growing pumpkins and they do love any kinds of soil just make sure it is fresh and plant them early April at the most because they will grow and spon up very fast and tall and make sure you have plenty of water as it really needs it during the hot days of those months. The Pumpkin's will not be ready to pop out until it is the right time of the season but the stems and leaf will grow at fast rate.make sure you keep the soil wet but not swampy nor too too dry not even dry but enough wet and dry so they can be healthy.you don't need,that much food to give it.just water and sun is all you need.
I hope I helped some beginner's who want to learn how to grow pumpkins.
small space pumpkins
Thanks, Jason. Your advice, and maybe a few particulars from above, could result in something wonderful! Thanks for your palpable enthusiasm!
Pumpkins in containers
I have never been successful growing pumpkins in containers -- they just stay small and produce nothing but the occasional male flower. Do you know what I can be doing wrong? I have used rich soil and keep them watered. I can grow them in the garden, although I usually get only one per plant as my growing season is short.
5 gal pot
I planted my jack-o-lantern pumpkin plant in a 5 gallon pot, and it's doing great! But I've read conflicting info online about pot size necessary. Is 5 gallon ok? Or should I risk moving it to a larger pot?
how big a container?
Generally speaking, pots for pumpkins are recommended as the bigger the better. Some say 10-gallon is the minimum for a small pumpkin. with large cultivars going into 12- to 15-gallon (20- to 24-inch diameter) pots. Moving it or not is a tough call. It’s great to hear that it’s going well, but it’s early in the season. If you decide to transplant don’t wait too long; and when/if you do, disturb the roots as little as possible so it will not need a lot of time to settle into its new pot. Good luck!
Thanks! I think the plant is
Thanks! I think the plant is too large to transplant. But I had the idea to put a trough-like planter next to it so the secondary roots have some extra nutrients to draw from. Not sure if that method has been tried before
Is this statement for Arid
Is this statement for Arid Zone environment?
PUMP·KIN
How do you pronounce pumpkin?
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