How to Grow Pumpkins in Earth Boxes

Choose small varieties and remove all but a few of the fruits.

Developed by commercial tomato growers, gardeners use Earth Boxes to raise fruiting vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant in limited space. Pumpkins don't grow vertically, but have a broad, spreading habit and will require space beyond the Earth Box. Choose small types and set the Earth Box in a location away from foot traffic because the vines are easily damaged.

Things You'll Need

• Potting mix
• 2 cups granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Fertilizer strip
• Hand pruning shears
• Cardboard

Instructions

1. Select small, fast-maturing varieties well-suited to container culture. These plants not only produce smaller fruit, but have fewer vines or may even have an upright bush form. Try Jack Be Little, Small Sugar or Baby Boo.

2. Fill the Earth Box with a high-quality, peat-based soil mix that contains dolomite. These mixes are lightweight, well-draining and provide calcium needed for plants that produce fruit, such as tomatoes, pumpkins and peppers. Add 2 cups granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer to the mix.

3. Plant two seedlings spaced 9 inches apart in the potting mix on one long-side of the grow box. Lay the fertilizer strip across the opposite side.

4. Place the Earth Box in a warm sunny location preferably on top of soil, rather than cement. Pumpkins need at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day to thrive. Fill the water reservoir and keep it full to ensure the soil is adequately moist.

5. Prune back pumpkin vines with hand pruning shears to control growth, allowing only two or three pumpkins to develop. The pumpkin vines will spread beyond the Earth Box and the pumpkins will rest on the ground. Moisture from cement may cause the pumpkins to rot prematurely. Place sheets of cardboard under the ripening pumpkins if the Earth Box is sitting on a patio.

6. Harvest the pumpkins when they are fully ripe, brightly colored and seem heavy for their size. Bring them in before the first heavy frost.

References

• EarthBox: Planting Guide
• Earth Box: Frequently Asked Questions
• Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet; Container Vegetable Gardening; Karen Demboski, et al.

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension; Pumpkin; Ron Wolford, et al.; 2011