How to grow perfect pumpkins

Photo by Inguna Pempere

Welcome to Gardening.Day! Today we’re going to take a closer look at pumpkins. If you’re a pro gardener or just beginning your gardening adventure, you’ll learn how to grow healthy, vibrant pumpkins. We’ll take a look from sowing seeds to harvesting great pumpkins.

When to plant pumpkin seeds

Pumpkins need a long growing season - about 5 months without frost - so if you live in colder regions it would be a good idea to get an early start indoors. So three weeks before the likely last frost date, in cooler climates early May, in warmer climates mid-April.

Care

After the last danger of frost, transplant the seedlings outside. If you decide to sow the seeds directly, do so at least when the soil temperature has warmed up to 70°F (20°C) since pumpkin seeds do not germinate in cold soil.

Time to germination

A pumpkin seed needs about 7-10 days to germinate. If you want to hasten the germination process, you may soak the seeds in water for a few hours prior to planting. Apply a fine mist of water whenever needed, being careful not to soak the soil.

Growing from sowing to harvesting

Pumpkins require an average of 90-150 days to mature from sowing until harvest, depending on the variety. The following gives a complete outline of the growth process:

1. Germination (7-10 days): seeds begin to sprout and emerge out of the soil.

2. Seedling stage (2-4 weeks): the true leaves develop, and growth starts to become visible.

3. Vegetative growth (1-2 months): the plant has adapted to grow in a horizontal manner, while massive vine growth occurs.

4. Flowering (2-3 weeks): yellow flowers blossom to attract the pollinators.

5. Fruit development (2-3 months): flowers that are pollinated with pumpkins start developing and maturing.

6. Harvesting: pumpkins are harvested once the skin hardens and they attain their mature color.

Pumpkin growing

In order to grow pumpkins successfully you would have to ensure some basics:

1. Preparing the soil: pumpkins do best in rich, well-drained soil having a pH of 6.0-7.5 Add a lot of compost or well-rotted manure to improve the fertility of the soil.

2. Planting: allow your pumpkin plants to have a least a distance of four to six feet (1-2 m depending on the variety) in between - seeds or seedlings in mounds that would enhance drainage, and the development of the roots.

3. Irrigation: the flowering and fruiting stages of pumpkins should be subjected to uniform moisture. Supply 1 inch (about 2 cm) of water per week. Water close to the base of the plant to minimize wetting foliage that can lead to diseases.

4. Fertilization: apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time. As plants grow, change to a higher phosphorus and potassium fertilizer for flower and fruit development.

5. Mulching: spread some mulch around the plants to hold soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and moderate soil temperature.

How and when to harvest pumpkins

Pumpkins are mature when the skin is hardened and they have attained their full color. This generally is late September into October. Harvest the pumpkin using a sharp knife or pruning shears, leaving a few inches of stem attached to it. In handling pumpkins, one must be careful not to bruise them because this reduces the storage life substantially.

Important notes about pumpkin production

1. Pollination: pumpkins need pollination to set fruit. Attract other sources of pollinators, such as bees, by planting some flowers close to the plant. You can even do hand pollination by the use of a small brush transferring pollen from a male flower to a female one.

2. Among common pumpkin pests are squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and aphids. To control infestations, use organic means of pest control like neem oil or insecticidal soap.

3. Diseases likely to affect your crop are powdery mildew, downy mildew, and bacterial wilt. Rotate the crop in places every year and carry out good sanitation measures to reduce the diseases.

What pumpkins like:

• Sun from six to eight hours.

• Warmth – soil and air temperatures above 70°F (21°C).

• Soil with a lot of organic matter.

• Consistent watering: avoid overwatering, especially during the critical growth stages.

What pumpkins don't like:

• Low temperatures, frost can harm or kill plants.

• Poor drainage of water can lead to root rots.

• Lack of enough space may limit growth and free air circulation.

Pumpkin companions and non-companions

Companion planting is a practice in horticulture in which particular plants are cultivated in propinquity to each other to encourage the growth of the other by means of complementing growth, repelling pests, or enhancing flavor. Becoming familiar with which plants fare well growing alongside pumpkins can greatly contribute to ensuring the continued health and fruitfulness of your patch. On the other hand, it's just as important to know which plants not to grow near your pumpkins.

Pumpkin companions

1. Corn. They offer natural trellises for the pumpkin vines to climb, thus conserving space, and aid in air circulation. The pumpkins' wide leaves, in turn, help shade the soil, consequently reducing weed growth and retaining moisture.

2. Beans. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, thereby enriching it for the pumpkins. This is particularly useful, as pumpkins are heavy feeders requiring large amounts of nutrients.

3. Radishes. They ought to keep most bugs at bay, including cucumber beetles and squash bugs. They mature very quickly, hence can be harvested before the pumpkins spread out too much.

4. Marigolds. Known for their pest-repellent effects on nematodes and other harmful insects because of the strong scent it emits.

5. Nasturtiums. These serve as trap plants to lure aphids and other pests off pumpkins. The pretty flowers are edible.

6. Sunflowers. The tall plants provide shade for the pumpkin and help protect the vines from the worst of the weather. They also attract pollinators who could help with the setting of pumpkin fruit.

7. Herbs. Oregano and dill are some of the herbs that naturally discourage harmful insects while at the same time attracting beneficial ones. Dill can attract ladybugs, which are predatory insects; other than that, they prey on such pest populations.

Plants not compatible with pumpkins

1. Potatoes

The two plants are just competitors. Pumpkins and potatoes alike both need their space and nutrients, so the chances of both thriving are low when either one is made to grow with the other. Besides that, pumpkins can also draw the same kind of pests that infest potatoes.

2. Brassicas

Members of the brassica family, like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, are heavy feeders on the soil; hence, they would create tough competition in terms of nutrients for pumpkins. And at the same time, members of the brassica family attract pests such as cabbage worms that can harm pumpkin plants.

3. Other cucurbits

For example, cucumbers and melons belong to the same family and hence will compete against each other for soil nutrients and space. Also, they suffer from pests and diseases alike, which spread more when such plants grow in the vicinity.

4. Tomatoes

Both tomatoes and pumpkins suffer from similar diseases like funguses, say, blight. Growing them together might cause a faster spread of such diseases.

5. Fennel

The fennel root excretes a liquid that discourages most plants from growth, including pumpkin. Plant fennel far from your pumpkin patch.

That way, companion planting of your pumpkins will increase total growth, reduce pests, and better the success rate of your garden. On the flip side, keeping away from certain plants that are competitors for resources or hosts of the same pest could mean a helping hand toward thriving. Raising your own pumpkins can be an extremely rewarding experience, no matter what level of gardener you are. Provided you learn what your pumpkin plants need and give them ideal conditions, you can count on a bountiful harvest. Happy gardening!

Learn more tips and tricks for growing pumpkins and other garden favorites on Gardening Day. Share your own pumpkin-growing adventure with us on Instagram and Pinterest using #GardeningDayPumpkins