Planting Pumpkin Seeds

Fall is a time for cooling temperatures, bold colors, and, of course, pumpkins. Rather than purchasing your future jack-o-lanterns at the store, try growing some in your home garden. Planting pumpkin seeds isn't very difficult, and the mature fruit has many decorative and culinary uses. When working towards your personal pumpkin patch, you must first choose a suitable pumpkin variety, cultivate the plant, and finally harvest the mature pumpkin.

There are many pumpkin varieties from which to choose. Your choice will depend on your plans for the pumpkins. Many gardeners enjoy growing jack-o-lantern varieties. These pumpkins typically grow up to be around 20 pounds. Common varieties in this group include Connecticut Field, Howden, and Howden Biggie pumpkins. Smaller varieties, typically ranging from three to six pounds, are often used for pies and other culinary dishes. Some common pie varieties include Small Sugar, Spooktacular, and Baby Pam pumpkins. For those looking to grow a gigantic, prize-winning pumpkin, the Prizewinner and Big Moon varieties are definitely recommended.

Planting pumpkin seeds is just the beginning; careful cultivation is necessary for maximum productivity. Due to the tough skin of most seeds, many prize-winning pumpkin growers recommend soaking the seeds in warm water for two or three hours prior to planting. Soaking the seeds helps soften the skin, allowing the sprout an easier exit. Pumpkins love full sun, so picking a spot that takes full advantage of daylight hours is a must. Next, consider the maturity dates on the variety you have chosen. Planting times will depend on the region where you live. The goal is to allow the pumpkins enough time to mature and be harvested prior to the first frost which will stunt or even kill most pumpkins. In regions where fall comes early, early pumpkin seed planting is essential. In hotter regions, such as the Southwest, planting can be done well into summer due to a much later first frost. As a general rule, planting pumpkin seeds should be done between April and July.

If you are planting later in the season, direct sowing is your best option. Since pumpkins are vining plants, make sure you have provided enough room for them to stretch. Many growers prefer planting each seed in a mound, or a small hill. Mounds help drainage and provide additional warmth for a seedling. This is preferred for those planting early in the season. However, you can still have a successful pumpkin patch without using mounds. While working your soil, include a healthy dose of compost and work it into the native soil. This will help provide additional nutrients for the growing plants. Most pumpkin varieties require at least four feet between each hill or plant. Plant each seed one inch deep with the pointed side down. Fill in with additional soil and try to wait patiently for your plant to grow. Companion planting is also an effective way to encourage growth and protect the maturing plant. Common companion plants for pumpkins include corn, squash, and nasturtium.

Pumpkin harvesting is typically done in September or October. Most often when a pumpkin is fully orange, it is ripe and ready. However, even greenish colored pumpkins are ready to harvest, so there are a couple of other ways to determine whether a pumpkin is ripe. Its skin should be very hard and impenetrable with a fingernail. This means that you should not be able to puncture the skin even if it does leave a mark. If there is a hollow sound when you thump the pumpkin, it's also an indication that it's ready to harvest. Ripe pumpkins also have hard stems, and you should cut it approximately three inches above the pumpkin when ready to harvest.

Patience and attention will lead to a bountiful pumpkin harvest. Depending on the variety of pumpkin you have planted, there are plenty decorative and culinary options for the harvested plant. For more tips for growing organic vegetables, as well as other related gardening topics, visit the PicturesqueGarden blog regularly.