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Last Updated: Jan 30, 2007 - 9:21:53 AM |
By Kent Reed Swanson
Pumpkins are a great fall crop with many uses. They were originally cultivated in South America and Mexico, and were mostly enjoyed for their edible seeds. See Aztec Gardens for more info on the origins of pumpkins and many other common crops.
Pumpkins are delicious in a variety of dishes, and no home should be without a pumpkin come October 31st! Growing pumpkins is fairly simple. Keep reading for more details!
First, select a sunny spot to plant your pumpkins. Before you plant, you’ll also want to test your soil pH and temperature. A soil pH of around 6.0 will work fine and soil temperatures should be about 60 degrees.
Make sure to grow your pumpkins in well-draining soil with plenty of organic material mixed in. Adding organic compost to your soil will also guarantee healthy, well-draining soil. If you don’t already have a compost pile, you should start one as soon as possible. This site can help: Compost Guide.
Check out this site from Colorado State University for some excellent pumpkin planting tips: Colorado State University Pumpkin Guide
Pumpkins can be planted directly into your garden by seed, and can be grow in mounds or rows. If you’re growing your pumpkins in mounds, plant the seeds about 1 or 2 inches deep, in groups of 5. With rows, plant 2 seeds per hole with about 2 to 3 feet between each hole. Give your pumpkins plenty of space to spread out. Don’t grow your other crops too close by. Also note that you should avoid planting pumpkins where you’ve recently had other vine crops such melons. It’s a good idea to wait at least two years before planting pumpkins in these areas. Plant your seeds by May or June in time for a Halloween harvest.
Water your pumpkins infrequently with a good, deep soaking. Drip irrigation is an ideal way to water your pumpkins and will help you avoid common diseases such as powdery mildew. As the pumpkin fruit starts to develop, reduce watering.
Plastic and organic mulches are useful when growing pumpkins to reduce weeds and to make full use of water. Mulches are also useful if you want to plant your pumpkins earlier in the season as they warm the soil. Place a black plastic mulch over the soil and cut out hole where you want to plant the seeds or transplants. You can use extra soil to weigh down the plastic at the edges. Organic mulches such as bark or straw work great but must be used when the soil is warm enough, around 75 degrees.
As your pumpkins develop, the foliage will help to protect them from the sun. However, an extra layer of shading maybe useful to help the pumpkin achieve its maximum size. Try using a shade structure made of burlap to shade your pumpkins.
If you have a specific question about your pumpkins, you should contact your local extension agent. This website can help: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). Many local Universities also have websites devoted to horticulture tips.
Utah State University also has a great PDF file with excellent tips on how to grow pumpkins: Utah State University Pumpkin Guide.
Check out this great ebook with recipes using squash, pumpkins, and other plants.
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