Pumpkins are very sensitive to temperature, so always be prepared to cover them in the early season to protect from cold night or even cold days. Pumpkins need a sunny position, moisture-retentive soil and shelter from cold wind. To grow them successfully, you need to know how to prepare the soil, when to start the seeds, how far apart to space them and when to harvest the pumpkins. Rather use a garden hose equipped with a misting nozzle as this waters the mounds lightly. How to Grow Pumpkins Successfully in Your Garden. Pumpkins are grown for different reasons. So start them indoors 3-4 weeks before YOUR last frost or wait til the soil is 70 degrees to direct plant seeds. Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Complete guide outlines step for how to grow pumpkins successfully, including why you shouldn’t use seeds from a pumpkin you’ve eaten. Vining pumpkins need a much larger space for them to spread. They may be used as food; to make desserts, in soups, in side dishes and some people use them to make beer, or for medicinal purposes. Plant your pumpkin seeds in hills, just the same way as squash or cucumber. But if you live in an area with a shorter growing season you can start your pumpkins indoors and plant them as transplants. how to use diatomaceous earth in the garden here. It is best to plant them where there is not a lot of wind as the vines are weak and may break in strong winds. For bush type variety pumpkins, you need 3 feet of spacing between each plant or hill. If you celebrate Halloween and would like to have pumpkins in time for the holiday, plant them in late July. It is easiest to build hills with a garden hoe and space the hills ten inches apart. Vining pumpkins need a much larger space for them to spread. 1. So, it is advisable not to use an overhead sprinkler. Backfill with a mixture of compost or well-rotted manure and soil. You want soil temperatures of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21.11 degrees Celsius. How to Grow Pumpkins Successfully If you live in an area with a longer growing season it is best if you plant your pumpkins by seed directly into the soil. These light covers allow water and light to penetrate through to the base of your plant to help keep the plant watered at all the time and the insects out. And for the variety of vining, the ideal spacing is 8 to 10 feet between each plant. Do this by making a hole about a spade’s depth and width. Pumpkins take up a large space in the home garden. How to Grow Pumpkins from Seed. Your email address will not be published. This is to avoid creating a conducive moist environment that promotes the development of pests and diseases. Then, drop 4 seeds and cover the seed with enough soil. How to Grow Pumpkins Successfully in Your Garden. Always check the temperature of your soil, especially with raised neds. However, make sure you don't water the leaves as they will get spoilt. Pumpkins are one of the easiest productive plants to grow at home. Pumpkins have a very long growing season, some verities up to 120 days (4 months). Through organic gardening, we can reduce our environmental footprint on our beautiful planet Earth while providing economic and healthy food for our families. Two weeks before planting or sowing seed outdoors, make individual planting pockets 1.8m (6ft) apart. They do however take up a lot of room so they are suited to a large backyard or country block. The vines are not hardy and need a lot of sunshine and plenty of water in order for them to give you quality produces. For bush type variety pumpkins, you need 3 feet of spacing between each plant or hill. This plant is a vine, and it spreads on a large surface, at times it may spread for up to 20 feet and hence you need ample room for to grow pumpkins. How to Grow Hot Peppers | Grow Chili Peppers from Seed, How to Grow Beans | The Best String Beans, The 5 Top Tomato Growing Tips for Growing Tomatoes at Home, 5 Tips to Growing Peppers for Beginners | Vegetable Gardening for Beginners, How to Care For African Violets and Make Them Flourish, Pruning Raspberries – Tips on How to Prune Raspberries, Best Pots for Succulents – How To Choose The Perfect Ones, Best Perennials for Bees to Plant in Your Garden. In the hobby garden, pumpkin is again at the top of the popularity list. Plant your pumpkin seeds in hills, just the same way as squash or cucumber. 0 . Sprinkle a general-purpose fertiliser over the soil. Note that each flower opens for just half a day and they commonly open in the morning hours after which they shut and reopens the next morning. Find out when to plant pumpkins in your region. Here are 11 tips to make your pumpkin harvest a success. Pumpkins typically take 95 to 120 days to mature. Due to its nutritious value, some people have begun planting them and below are some of the steps that you should follow to successfully plant pumpkins. Growing pumpkins can be a rewarding experience, but only if you are educated in how to do it successfully. If you see no bees in your garden after your plants have started flowering, you may employ self-pollination using an artist brush. Log in, The Simple Product That Made Canning Better Forever ». If you are anticipating growing in the spring, the soil can be prepared in the fall. A pumpkin is a gourd-like squash, Cucurbita genus. They are nutritious and come with a lot of benefits as they have vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients. Find more garden guides, tips and advice. And for the variety of vining, the ideal spacing is 8 to 10 feet between each plant. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker. After the hills, dig out a pocket at the center of each hill which is 1” deep. They can also be very productive with little care required. Although it will be hard to keep up with their watering requirements, you can also grow pumpkins in growbags or containers (at least 45cm/18in wid… Further, adding lightweight row covers increases growing temperatures and protects the pumpkins from pests, especially when your plants are small. Prepare your soil. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abc38fd8ec85d3f829bf1e080ce52046" );document.getElementById("hfd0255cf6").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Robin is an avid life-long gardener who believes in self-sufficiency and sustainability. Also, it is best to apply water early in the morning so that any excess moisture left on the leaves has time to dry. These plants contain no saturated fats or cholesterol, but they are very rich in dietary fibers, anti-oxidants, and vitamins. When using covers to grow pumpkins, remove the covers immediately after the plants start to bloom so that the blooms may be pollinated.