How to Grow Pumpkins

by Home for the Harvest | Mary Jane Duford

5 Materials

$20

4 Months

Easy

Pumpkins are so much fun to grow! Whether you're growing pumpkins for halloween decorations or for pumpkin pie, they deserve a spot in your backyard garden. Choose your favourite type each fall to add to your garden plan for the upcoming season.! icon

Here's the basic steps for how to grow your own pumpkins (organically of course)! More details can be found in the original post (see below).

BEFORE - pumpkin seeds. Choose organic pumpkin seeds from a local seed provider or reputable seed company. When choosing a variety, think about how you'll use the pumpkins in the fall (for jack-o-lanterns, halloween centerpieces, or for pumpkin pie).

Pumpkins do best when planted outside directly in the soil. Wait until danger of frost has passed completely and the soil has warmed up with the warmth of the spring. Soil can be hilled up into small mounds to help it warm up. Plant pumpkin seeds about 1" deep and water well after planting to encourage germination. In colder areas with short growing seasons, seeds can be started indoors in peat pots or soil blocks.

Pumpkin vines require full sunlight, good air circulation, consistent watering, and access to nutrients. Vines should be getting at least 6 hours a day on sunny days and should be planted with enough room to allow air into the vine structure. Water regularly, although the plants don't need to be watered if the soil is already damp. Drip irrigation is preferable to overhead watering to minimize mildew.

Nutrients are particularly important to pumpkin vines as pumpkins are heavy feeders. Compost is a great soil amendment for pumpkins, as is high-quality organic fertilizer. Feed pumpkins monthly during the growing season to promote vine health.

Harvest pumpkins when the skin is tough enough that your fingernail won't easily poke through the skin. It's easiest to harvest pumpkins once the vines have died back (it's easier to spot the pumpkins!). Leave an inch or two of stem on the pumpkin when harvesting. Small pumpkins can be harvested with garden scissors or pruners while larger pumpkins may require larger tools.

AFTER - organic pumpkins. Use your ornamental pumpkins in fall decor such as jack-o-lanterns and centerpieces, or use pie pumpkins in fall desserts and drinks!