How to Grow Pumpkins and Puttin' on the Pounds!
Get Growing
The seed search is at its peak. While the seed search begins with the start of the new year, March is one of the busiest months of the year for seed sales. For those of us growing pumpkins, members of the “Cucurbita” family, the question is, “Will the seed varieties you want still be in stock when you want to buy them?” There are usually plenty of the most common varieties. But, if it’s something different, or uncommon that you’re looking for, market supplies dwindle with each passing day. And, if you are still shopping for seeds at your local stores, chances are they will not reorder. The message is clear… buy now while everything is still in stock. Garden Seed & Supplies
As soon as the new year begins, seeds of all kinds are flying off the shelves. Make certain you get the varieties you want, by getting them now …… before someone beats you to them.
In addition to surfing all the online seed-selling sites, contact fellow growers. Contact garden organizations in your area, too. Most importantly, check out the giant pumpkin-growing organizations online, the ones that hold giant weigh-offs. They are a great source of seeds with great genetics, as well as different and unique seeds. Competitive growers are friendly people. And, they will often share some of their seeds. Check out giant pumpkin organizations today.
There’s no shortage of varieties that you can grow. As a matter of fact, you’ll find hundreds of varieties to choose from.
Giant Pumpkins- Every grower feels the urge to grow a giant pumpkin at least once in their life. Those who try, often are hooked for life. The challenge is huge. While there are many varieties out there, we highly recommend you look for Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds, the granddaddy of them all.
Looking for unique and wacky seed varieties? There are over 100 varieties of pumpkin seeds. The trouble is most seed manufacturers carry only a limited number of the most common varieties. While most seed companies carry about 3-6 varieties, Livingston Seed Company markets the largest variety we’ve ever seen. They offer about twenty varieties, including Jaradale (a blue pumpkin) Red Warty, Peanut, Howden, Cinderella, and many more.
The Focus right now is upon seed selection. And it’s an exciting time. Optimism abounds, as we anticipate a highly productive garden season. All too soon, we will turn our attention to the germination of the seeds we are now acquiring. Then, we will be preparing our patch for this year’s crop of big, beautiful pumpkins. Will you directly sow seeds into the garden? For giant varieties, an indoor start is all but a must. This is especially true if your dream is to grow a record-breaker. And, won’t you be proud to bring your giant Cucurbita to a Fall weigh-off!?
Importantly, early indoor starts are better begun indoors, where temperature and soil moisture can be optimally controlled. For bigger varieties, like the Atlantic Giant, we encourage you to start your plants indoors. Providing bottom heat with a germination mat is also recommended. It results in faster and more successful seed germination.
The very best gardens begin with a plan. If you have not done so already, March is a good time to make plans for your pumpkin patch. Those steps include:
First, providing your plants with the ideal soil pH is essential for a successful gardening season. So, perform a soil test, to make certain the pH level is ideal for growing pumpkins. Make adjustments to the soil pH as needed. See Pumpkin Patch Soil ph.
Second, adding soil amendment is an important next step. Determine what will you add to the soil, to improve it. Will it be compost, manure, fertilizers, or some of each? How to improve garden soil.
Also, right now, it’s a great time to review the basic “how to’s” of pumpkin growing, along with searching out new tips on how to grow bigger and better pumpkins. Make sure to surf through our many How To Grow pages.
Frost and freezes will kill your plants in the Cucurbita family. Cold weather can stunt their growth… permanently. So, identify when to start or transplant tender, cold, and frost-sensitive pumpkin plants. See Planting Dates.
So, you must deliver. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to fuel the growth of your fruit to produce the biggest pumpkins you've ever seen.
Sure, it's only March. And, all you can do right now is search for the seeds you will need this spring. But, before you know it, spring planting time will arrive. I can't wait!
Keep your patch well watered.
Turn over a spadeful of soil. Is it moist down several inches? Great! More on watering pumpkins.
Add a layer of compost.
This feeds the plant, helps to retain soil moisture, and helps to keep weeds down.
Big pumpkins have big appetites.
Use regular applications of fertilizer. Alternate liquid and granualr fertilizer. Apply slightly diluted liquid fertilizer to the leaves. More on fertilizers.
Tender loving care.
Maintain the health of your plants. Keep a vigilant eye for insect problems and plant disease. Apply insecticides and fungicides before problems arise.
Cover the vines with garden soil.
This promotes secondary root growth. It anchors the plant and feeds the fruit. And best of all, it results in much bigger fruit.
How to grow pumpkins.
Learn the indepth A to Zs on how to grow them. Find much more information on how to grow pumpkins.
Todays’ Quiz question: They come in many colors. Which colors are pumpkin colors?
A. Orange
B. White
C. Blue
D. Green
E. Red
F. Yellow
Did You Know? Other members of the Cucurbita family come in many colors, too.
In addition to our website, our sister site Gardener's Net News is also on Facebook - Read about gardening happenings and your favorite plants. Leave garden related comments. Share a picture of your prize winning pumpkin or roses. Like us on Facebook.
Let's Talk Gardening and Pumpkin Growing! Do you want to talk about gardening, read seasonal appropriate articles about gardening, or share some pictures of your garden.? Join in on the fun, visit the garden blog!
Aside from giant pumpkins, most varieties can be sowed directly into your garden, if you have enough frost free days. Find out more
You are experiencing poor pollination. It's pretty common. Here's how to assure pollination. Find out more
The largest ever grown weighed well over a ton. There's a lot of other amazing pumpkin records too. See them
There are many festivals and weigh-off sites all over the U.S., and Canada. And, many others around the world. Find one near you
Growing pumpkins is fun. Like other gardening activities, researchers tell us its therapeutic. Eating them is healthy for you. Add a little to your diet all year long.
More on Pumpkins and Your Health
See a plethora of recipes in Pumpkin Nook’s Cookbook
In addition to pumpkins, there are several other members of the Cucurbita family. Also among them are:
Did You Know? Members of the Cucurbita family are generally prolific cross-breeders. As a result, there are many varieties of these plants.
