At this early point in the season, pumpkin growers should focus on the healthy growth of their young plants. A big, healthy root system will fuel and support the development of huge, orange fruit…..pumpkins!
Rich soil, ample amounts of well-rotted compost, and a regular application of fertilizers provide the fuel your plants need for stellar growth. In early July, those big, vigorous vines will produce lots of male and female flowers, and the pollination period will begin.
Your rich garden soil and the granular fertilizer you apply help your young pumpkin plants to grow vigorously and strong. Additionally, you can foliar feed the plants, too. Mix a light application of liquid fertilizer and generously water the leaves. Very quickly, you will notice the difference. More on foliar feeding your pumpkins.
Every pumpkin grower feels the urge to grow a giant pumpkin at least once in their lives. 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. Check out the giant pumpkin growing organizations online, the ones that hold giant pumpkin weigh-offs. They can be a great source of giant pumpkin seeds with great genetics, as well as different and unique seeds. More on Growing Giant Pumpkins
June Garden Tips – from The Gardener’s Network, where every day is a gardening day!
Ask any kid, and he or she will tell you they want a big, big pumpkin. You must deliver. Your mission, should you choose to accept it(and you have), is to fuel the growth of your fruit to produce the biggest pumpkins you've ever seen. In August, you also need to be diligent and guard against insects and plant disease, especially powdery mildew.
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. 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, and results in much bigger pumpkins.
How to grow pumpkins.
Get more on how to grow pumpkins.
Top 10 Signs You’ve Gone over the Garden’s Edge – How avid a gardener are you?
Todays’ Quiz question: Pumpkins come in many colors. Which colors are pumpkin colors?
A. Orange
B. White
C. Blue
D. Green
E. Red
F. Yellow
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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 pumpkin ever grown weighed well over a ton. There's a lot of other amazing pumpkin records too. See them
There's many pumpkin 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 pumpkins is healthy for you. Add a little pumpkin to your diet all year long.
More on Pumpkins and Your Health
See a plethora of pumpkin recipes in Pumpkin Nook’s Cookbook
