How to Choose Pumpkins to Grow in a Small Space

Kids love pumpkins, and they are fun to grow, but the downside is that they can quickly turn your backyard into a scene from "Jumanji". Fortunately, there are several "semi-bush" style pumpkins available which keep their rambling vines somewhat in check. While vines are still long, (6-8 feet) they are still considerably shorter than standard pumpkin vines.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Seeds (see resources)
• Fence, trellis, trellis netting, or large planter
• A sunny spot in your yard

1. 
    
   Wee-B-Little

   Choose seeds appropriate for your growing space. "Wee-B-Little" pumpkin seeds will produce baseball-size pumpkins on a relatively compact plant. "Summer Ball" is a new type of pumpkin which is compact enough to be grown in a large container.

2. 
    
   Kakai

   Choose seeds according to desired appearance. Slightly larger than "Wee Be Little" is a "semi-bush" type pumpkin called "Kakai" which produces interesting black striped fruit in the 5-8 lb. range. "Orange Smoothie" pumpkins have a smooth skin that is great for painting.

3. 
    
   Baby Bear

   If you have limited space, but have access to a fence, trellis, or are able to use trellis netting against a wall, you can choose to grow a pumpkin such as "Baby Bear" which produces fruit in the 1.5-2.5 lb. range.

Tips & Warnings

• For climbing vines, the use of trellis netting allows the tendrils of the vine to get a good grip.

Resources

• Gardening Classes for Children in Avon, CT.
• Johnny's Selected Seeds

[Karenc1972]

on 4/1/2009 Never heard of the baby bear variety... should work perfectly in my small back yard. Thanks for sharing!

[elyria]

on 4/1/2009 How adorable! I would love to do it! 5*

[prism]

on 2/28/2009 Great suggestions! I think it is even more fun for the kids when they can paint faces on the little pumpkins that they have grown themselves. Thanks!

[Jared86]

on 2/25/2009 Great article, cool

[goodselfme]

on 2/25/2009 Everyone loves to see pumpkins grow, especially children. Great article. tx