Pumpkin seed search peak time. It’s February and the pumpkin patch is deeply covered with snow. It’s been so long since we’ve last tended to our pumpkin plants, lovingly coaxing them to produce our beloved fruit. And, there are many months yet to pass, before we plant that first pumpkin seed or seedling. What is a pumpkin grower to do in February, besides fondly recalling our past pumpkin growing exploits? Why we energetically and optimistically look for seeds for this year, that’s what we do! Also, we look for something old, something new, nothing borrowed, and occasionally something blue… Yes, there are blue pumpkins! If you do not have your pumpkin seeds yet, what are you waiting for!? 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 pumpkin growers. And, contact garden organizations in your area. Most importantly, 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. 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. All too soon, we will turn our attention to the germination of the seeds we are now acquiring. Then, we will be preparing your patch for this year’s crop of big and beautiful pumpkins. Will you directly sow pumpkin seeds into the garden? Or, will you start them indoors? Early starts are better begun indoors, where temperature and soil moisture can be best 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:
Perform a soil test, to make certain the pH level is ideal for growing pumpkins. See Pumpkin Patch Soil ph.
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.
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.
Identify when to start or transplant tender, cold, and frost-sensitive pumpkin plants. See Planting Dates.
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.
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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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 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
