Tag: Pumpkin

The pepitas were cherished by the Aztecs, and the entire fruit was enjoyed by the Mayans – pumpkin flesh was cooked into sauces, the hulled seeds were toasted and ground up and the rinds were carved into drinking vessels. Did the Aztecs have pumpkins? The Aztecs, whose month of Miccailhuitontli, meaning “little feast of the […]

These plants are native to Central America and Mexico, but now grow on six continents—all but Antarctica. 2. Indigenous North Americans have grown pumpkins for thousands of years—even before the cultivation of beans and corn. Can you find pumpkins in the wild? Some groups, including the pepo subspecies that includes courgettes and pumpkins, seemingly went […]

Native to North America (northeastern Mexico and the southern United States), pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated plants, having been used as early as 7,000 to 5,500 BC. Pumpkins are widely grown for food, as well as for aesthetic and recreational purposes. Did pumpkins originate in Africa? 1. Pumpkins are a member of the […]

As we slide from September into October, the change in seasons sees many of us reaching for squash and pumpkin to bulk up our soups, stews and autumnal salads. Though they can grow here, these tough-shelled softies are not native to Ireland. So what’s the story behind the squash and how did it end up […]

Origin of Pumpkin The earliest known record of human domestication and consumption of pumpkins comes from Mexico, where remnants of seeds and squashes have been found in the Oaxaca valley and Tamaulipas dwellings – perhaps dating as far back as 8750 BCE and 7000 BCE, respectively. What is the earliest known use for pumpkins? Scientists […]

Archaeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago. The first pumpkins held very little resemblance to the sweet, bright orange variety we are familiar with. What countries are pumpkins native to? Pumpkins are a member of the […]

wasawa. Pumpkins have long served as a staple in the diet of American Indians (the Abenaki word for pumpkin or squash is wasawa). Did Native Americans use pumpkins? Native American Indians used pumpkin as an important part of their diets many years before the Pilgrims landed. Native Americans enjoyed the inner pulp of the pumpkin […]

90-100 days. How to Grow Miniature Pumpkins – Harvest Time. Days to Maturity: Plan 90-100 days for these little pumpkins to grow and ripen. We always recommend new growers add a few days to this estimate. The plants will produce up to 8-10 cute, little pumpkin fruits. How long do pumpkins take to grow after […]

1) Provide more light as soon as possible. The best way to fix leggy seedlings is give them more light, ASAP! This could mean adding a supplemental grow light if you’re not using one already, upgrading to a stronger light, or lowering your current light closer to the seedlings so it is more effective. Can […]

It’s not unusual for baby pumpkins to shrivel on the vine. The plant does its own job of selective pruning when a fruit is competing too much with a neighbor or if it isn’t ideally located on the vine. Why do my pumpkins keep shriveling up? Pumpkins grow best in moist soil, and under- or […]

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 […]