How to Grow the Best Pumpkins

High-quality pumpkins produce the tastiest pies.

Pumpkins are one of the oldest crops in North America; remnants of the plants have been found in excavations of Native American dwellings. Pumpkin is baked in pies and cakes, spread on breads and cooked whole. Giant pumpkins can grow larger than 500 pounds and routinely win prizes in regional fairs and contests. Produce high-quality pumpkins for consumption or display with simple gardening tips.

Things You'll Need

• 5-10-10 fertilizer
• 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Boron
• Wheat, oat or hairy vetch seedlings
• Ground fish
• Seaweed

Instructions

1. Plant in a location that gets full sun exposure and little to no wind. Opt for soil that is well-drained and aerated. Aerate by hand if necessary.

2. Grow a jumbo variety of seedling to get massive pumpkins, especially for contest entry. These pumpkins can require three to four months of growth and as much as 50 gallons of water every other day.

3. Plant pumpkin seeds only in warm weather, after the last frost. This may be as early as May to as late as June, depending on the region. Alternatively, start pumpkins from seed indoors and transplant to the garden when the temperature is reliably above 65 Fahrenheit.

4. Give the pumpkin plenty of room; its vines will spread and compete for nutrients with nearby plants. Allow at least 4 feet between pumpkins and other plants.

5. Fertilize with a 5-10-10 soil amendment formulation. Use about 5 qts fertilizer for a row that is 100-by-3-feet long. For giant pumpkins, opt for a 10-10-10 fertilizer.

6. Add boron to the soil, especially if it is sandy or prone to producing oddly shaped pumpkins. Sprinkle boron in quantities of about 1 lb. per 1 acre of soil.

7. Plant a cover crop such as wheat, oat or hairy vetch in the off season. This will condition the soil for optimal pumpkin growth.

8. Bury ground fish or seaweed with the pumpkin seedlings as an alternative fertilizer. This additive is beneficial pumpkins intended for display or consumption.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Pumpkins and More
• "Illinois Times"; Behold, the Great Pumpkin; Jennifer Fishburn; August 2005
• University of Maryland Extension: Grow It Eat It; Growing Giant Pumpkins in Maryland Home Gardens
• Utah State University Extension; Pumpkins in the Garden; Rick Hefelbower, et al.; September 2004
• University of California Davis; Small Farm Program: Pumpkins, A Small-Scale Agriculture Initiative
• Pumpkin Nook: Fertilizers and Micro-Nutrients for Pumpkins