Tips on Growing a Pumpkin Seed

To start a pumpkin seed, use light potting soil.

A plump, bright orange pumpkin makes a satisfying sight for vegetable gardeners. Though traditionally associated with Halloween, this large winter squash creates tasty soups, stews and other meals. A few simple tips can help you grow your pumpkin seed and take care of the plant as it develops. Getting a pumpkin seed to germinate is the first challenge and may require some preparation indoors in cooler states.

Sowing

Pumpkin seeds don't germinate well in cold soil. In colder regions, sowing seeds indoors in starter pots helps protect the seed and young plant. A 3-inch pot filled with potting soil or compost provides the right growing environment for the pumpkin seeds. The BBC Gardening Guide recommends placing a seed on its side and covering with 1 inch of soil. Other tips include using a propagator -- much like a mini plastic greenhouse. This keeps conditions warm and humid for germination. Transfer pumpkins meant for Halloween to the ground in May in northern states, or June in southern states.

Spacing

Vining pumpkin varieties require more space to spread and grow than bush varieties. Space hills for vining pumpkins 5 to 6 feet apart, with around 15 feet between rows. If planting pumpkin seeds direct in the ground, each hill should contain two or three seeds. Bush varieties only need 4 feet between each seed hill. A patch of several large vining pumpkins may cover between 50 and 100 feet -- so they're not an ideal choice for smaller gardens or containers.

Watering

Pumpkins don't root deeply, so in dry spells when water evaporates from the top layers of soil, pumpkins may suffer. An inch of water every week provides enough irrigation for most pumpkins. If you live in an arid or very hot area, water more frequently. Watering earlier in the day means that leaves dry by the evening, reducing the chance of rot, mildew or other problems. Water newly planted seeds as soon as they're covered.

General Care

Another tip from the BBC suggests raising pumpkins from the ground and onto boards when they start to get larger. Pumpkins left on the ground risk skin discoloration and rot. Pests include squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Both attack the tender parts of the pumpkin plant. In low numbers, you can simply pick them off. Using too much pesticide may interfere with bee pollination when the plant flowers, leaving you with fewer pumpkins or none at all.

References

• BBC Gardening Guides: Grow Pumpkins
• University of Illinois Extension: Growing Pumpkins
• Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet; Growing Giant Pumpkins In The Home Garden; David A. Mangione; 2001