Pumpkin Garden Guide

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Pumpkin

Pumpkin Stat Summary

Plant Spacing: 6-12" (152-304 mm)
Row Spacing: 48-96" (1219-2438 mm)
Planting Depth: 1-1.5" (25-38 mm)
Plants Per Person: 1
Soil Temperature: 60-105°F (16-41°C)
Days to Emergence: 5-10
Recommended Soil PH: 5.8-6.8
Seed Indoors: 4 weeks before transplanting
Earliest Outdoor Planting: After Last Frost
Tick Can direct seed outdoors
Tick Can seed indoors

Planting Pumpkin

Pumpkins prefer 70 degree F well-drained, fertile, loose soil, high in organic matter with pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Direct plant seeds 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep into hills; sow 4 to 5 seeds per hill and space hills about 4 to 8 feet apart, depending on the size of the vine.

To plant in rows, sow seeds 6 to 12 inches apart in rows 6 to 10 feet apart. You can also start plants inside in 2-3 inch pots or cells 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting outside. Sow 3 or 4 seeds per pot and thin to one or two plants by snipping off the weaker plants to avoid damaging the roots of those that remain.

Harden off by cutting back on water and reducing temperature before transplanting. After all danger of frost has passed, transplants in the garden 6 to 12 inches apart in rows 6 to 10 feet apart.

Growing Pumpkin

Hills: when plants are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill by snipping off unwanted plants; this prevents disturbing the roots of the remaining ones.

Rows: snip off plants to thin to one plant every 18 to 36 inches. Plentiful and consistent moisture is needed from the time plants emerge until fruits begin to fill out. After plants set fruit, feed twice, at two week intervals, with a water soluble plant food. Mulching plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvesting and Storing Pumpkin

Pumpkins can be harvested after their skin is hard and the color is deep orange. Leave 3-4 inches of stem on the fruit to increase storage time.

Pumpkin Insect and Disease Information

Cucumber beetles and squash bugs can cause problems; use an insecticide like Rotenone-Pyrethrin to help. In addition, crop rotation can minimize insect problems. Pumpkins are susceptible to wilts, leaf spots and mildews. These can be minimized through crop rotation, field sanitation and fungicide applications.

Pumpkin Yield Information

No yield information for Pumpkin.