How To Grow Pumpkin

Type: Annual
Name: Cucurbita pepo
Light: Full sun
Soil Type: Warm, medium rich, well drained
Soil Temperature: 75 – 85°
ph Range: 6.0 – 7.0
Watering: Keep moist but not soggy
Plant (Payson): May 15 – June 10
Planting Method: Seeds of transplant
Germination (days): 7 – 10
Transplant: After all danger of frost has passed
Plant Characteristics: Vining – recommend trellis or fence
Maturity (days): 110 – 120
Common Pests: Squash bug & vine borer, cucumber beetle, aphid
Common Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, curly top

OVERVIEW

Pumpkins are related to squash, melons and gourds and have similar growing needs. Pumpkins take a lot of space in the garden, easily up to 500 square feet for a single plant. Many gardeners like to grow giant pumpkins. If this appeals to you, cut off all but two main stems as the plant grows, and only allow one fruit per stem.

SOIL PREPARATION

As soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, mix plenty of organic matter into the soil along with well composted manure to create a loose, nutrient rich medium. Add an all-purpose organic fertilizer at the time of planting.

 

PLANTING

Transplanting

Not recommended since seeds sprout quickly in warm soil and grow rapidly.

Seed

Pumpkins are frost tender and need warm weather to grow. They cannot tolerate any frost so plant seeds in late May. Plant bush pumpkins in rows with clusters of seeds every four feet along row.

CARE & GROWING

MULCHING
Mulch around the plants once they are well established. It is important that pumpkin fruit not sit on wet soil. Mulch, such as straw, is a good idea.

WATERING
Keep the soil moist, but don’t over water.

FERTILIZING
Pumpkins are heavy feeders so add plenty of rich compost to the seed bed and feed with side dressings of an all-purpose fertilizer throughout the growing season.

WEEDING
Pumpkin plants tend to have large leaves that shade the ground around them, so weeds may not be a problem. If weeds join the party, remove them by hand or by cultivation. A good mulch can cut down on weed growth.

DISEASE
Bacterial wilt, curly top virus, downy mildew, powdery mildew, scab

BUGS
Aphid, cucumber beetle, squash bug, squash vine borer

HARVESTING

Harvest pumpkins when they are a uniform orange color. It’s best to allow the vine to die before picking, but do not allow to freeze. Ripe fruit should thud when thumped. It should be a deep orange color (depending on species). Pumpkins are ready when you can’t easily puncture skin with your fingernail.

PRESERVING/STORING

Cure pumpkins in a warm, well ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. Then place in a cool, dry location. They will store well for several months. Pumpkins can be canned, dried, or frozen and of course don’t forget pumpkin pie.