Category: Fruits

Even though the standard advice says to plant seeds in late spring to avoid frost damage, anecdotal evidence suggests that pumpkin seeds can survive winter and still come up in spring. Can pumpkin seeds grow in winter? In warm-winter regions, sow pumpkin seeds in midwinter for harvest in early summer. To start pumpkins indoors before […]

Plant pumpkins on a hill mounded 6 inches or more above the garden. The mound will collect solar heat which will enhance growth. A mound 36 or more inches across will support three plants. Work plenty of aged compost and aged manure or commercial organic planting mix into the hill before planting. Should pumpkins be […]

Pumpkins grow in warm, frost-free weather, with most varieties taking 95 to 120 days to reach maturity and stop growing. Generally, the extra large and large varieties require the longest growth period, while medium and small varieties require the least. Why has my pumpkin plant stopped growing? Pumpkin Vine Drought Stress Because they are 90 […]

Rows should be 6 to 8 feet apart, with seedlings thinned to the best plant every 2 feet when they have their first true leaves. Plant bush varieties one inch deep (1 or 2 seeds per foot of row) and thin to a single plant every 3 feet. Allow 4 to 6 feet between rows. […]

Pumpkins can remain in the garden through a light, vine-killing frost. A light frost will not damage the pumpkins themselves. However, all mature pumpkins should be harvested before temperatures drop into the mid to low 20’s. How cold can pumpkins tolerate? The best storage temperature for pumpkins ranges between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, he […]

Pollen can be frozen, and it’s best done when dried first. How long it lasts though depends on the variety of plant unless you have the resources of the seed vaults available to you. It won’t hurt to try saving the pollen. Can you save pollen from male squash plants? Can I somehow preserve the […]

Lime and Fertilizing Lime (if needed) is most effective when worked into the soil in the fall. Pumpkins and squash have very extensive root systems and respond to thorough soil preparation and the application of 3 to 4 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet. What is the best fertilizer for growing pumpkins? Apply […]

Pumpkin Companion Plants Corn. Along with beans and squash, corn makes up the trio of perfect companion plants known as “The Three Sisters.” Korean Licorice Mint. Korean licorice mint, Agastache rugosa, attracts several types of beneficial hoverflies. Lavender. Marigolds. Marjoram. Nasturtiums. Pole Beans. Sunflowers. What do you rotate after pumpkins? According to Ohio State University […]

One typical example of companion planting with pumpkins is interspersing corn, beans, and pumpkins in the same bed. The beans can use the cornstalks as support structures to climb up, while the massed foliage of pumpkins keeps down the weeds. Melon and squash are also beneficial as pumpkin companion plants. What grows well after pumpkins? […]

Ideally, keep pumpkins on a three-year rotation cycle, meaning you don’t plant them in the same spot for three years in a row. This allows soil to replenish nutrients vines remove, and it also helps foil diseases that may survive in soil over winter. What should not be planted near pumpkins? Consulting a companion planting […]

Yes, pumpkin plants will die after harvest. Pumpkins are an annual plant, meaning that they only survive for one year – long enough to produce fruit and spread seeds to reproduce. Keep in mind that an early fall frost can kill pumpkin plants before their time. How long do pumpkin plants live? Plant Longevity Pumpkins […]

Evie points out that once carved, pumpkins go soft and can collapse if they’re not hydrated. ‘To help your pumpkin retain moisture, spray the vinegar and water solution on the inside of your pumpkin daily,’ Evie recommends. We get it, this might seem like a lot of hard work. Why are my pumpkins getting soft? […]

“In a landfill, pumpkins and other organic materials are buried and rot without oxygen, which creates the potent greenhouse gas methane,” Enroth says. Instead, give gourds a second life by donating them to a zoo or wildlife rehab center or composting them, either personally or through a municipal drop-off program. How do you throw out […]

Before taking carving tools to your pumpkin, let the cavity dry out; moisture inside the pumpkin, paired with more air exposure from cuts, will lead to faster rot. Do pumpkins rot faster outside? Keep it in the basement (or any other cool, dark area of your house). If you live in a warm climate, your […]

They should be stored in a cool place, such as your garage. Store pumpkins upside down (so the stalk is on the bottom). Don’t place them directly onto the floor – use a piece of cardboard as a mat for the pumpkin. Stored this way, pumpkins can last up to 3-4 months. How do you […]

Whether you grew your pumpkins in your garden or you plan to buy them from a local farmer, it is not too early to go out and retrieve them. However, if you wish to wait to harvest your pumpkins for a few weeks, that is fine as well. What happens if you harvest a pumpkin […]

Soak it in bleach There are several ways to preserve and protect your pumpkin once it is cut open. One popular option is to soak it in bleach (1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water) for about 20 minutes. The bleach kills any bacteria hanging out on your pumpkin. Can you make a pumpkin […]

Sandea (halosulfuron) is an herbicide registered for pre- and postemergence application in pumpkins and numerous other crops. Sandea has efficacy on a number of broadleaf weeds including pigweed, ragweed, velvetleaf, mustards, nutsedge, lanbsquarters (preemergent), morning glory/field bindweed (suppression). Can you use preen around pumpkins? We grow a pumpkin, gourd and cucumber patch – about 1.5 […]

Uncarved pumpkins will generally decay at a slower rate than those that get emptied out and carved. Still, they won’t last forever. Bleach and other household cleaning products can be used to keep pumpkins from rotting. How do you preserve a pumpkin permanently? Simply mix 1 teaspoon of bleach per 1 gallon of water making […]

Curing is holding squash and pumpkin at a temperature favorable for healing cuts and scratches and for forming a protective corky layer over injuries and cut surfaces of the stem. Cure squash and pumpkin for 10 days at tempera tures of 80 to 85°F and a relative humidity of 80 to 85 degrees. How long […]