Growing pumpkins is easy. Pumpkins are tender annuals. Protect them from frost and cold weather both spring and fall. Weather below 50 degrees will slow or even stunt their growth. Plant outdoors after the last frost date for your area. Follow the spacing directions on the packet. They can vary significantly variety. Water well after planting, and a second time two to four days later, only if there has been no rain.
How to Grow: Seeds can be planted in hills four to six feet apart Sow four to six seeds per hill, thinning to two to three. Or, plant in rows six inches apart, thinning to 1 to 3 feet apart, depending upon how much space you have. Plant miniatures closer, and Giants farther apart. A variety of diseases affect pumpkins, most notable is powdery mildew. Apply fungicides at the first sign of a problem. Better still, apply them before plant disease problems occur. Hot, humid weather encourages pumpkin diseases.
Depending upon variety, Plan 85-95 days for miniatures, 100-120 days for Jack O'Lanterns and 130-150 days for giant pumpkins.
Pumpkins belong to the "Curcurbita" family. There are a wide range of varieties falling into these categories:
Cucurbita Moschata - This group of mainly squash includes the ones used for commercially canned food. Commercial varieties usually have a tan-colored skin.
Cucurbita Pepo- These are the Jack-o-Lantern type you carve on Halloween, as well as the cute little miniature varieties that fit in the palm of your hand.
Cucurbita Maxima - Maxima, as it's name implies, are the giant ones. Giant pumpkin growing has become a very popular hobby. Giant variety growers are among the most devoted, and perhaps fanatical of gardeners.
Days to maturity varies widely, depending upon variety. Plan 85-95 days for miniatures, 100-120 days for Jack O'Lanterns and 130-150 days for giant pumpkins.
 Disease: Gardeners love growing these vegatables. Insects and a wide variety of pests love 'em, too. The most common insects are Cucumber beetles, squash vine borers and squash bugs. Dusting or spraying regularly before an infestation occurs, is recommended.
Among the animals that love to eat these (either the plants or the fruit) are rabbits, and in the US and Canada, woodchuck, squirrels and deer. Use animal repellent like pepper and garlic sprays as needed. More on sprays.
Tip: Allow enough time after watering for the leaves to dry before evening. Water on the leaves in warm weather encourages plant disease. | |
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Composting -
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Choosing House Plants -
When choosing house plants, , Composting consider first their shape, habit, texture and colouring for the place , Rose Suckers they will occupy and in relation to each other. For a group of plants, , Cactus and Soil choose a tall specimen to give height (dracaena or schefflera), a climbing variety (p...
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How To Grow Beans -
Beans require a medium soil. , Retaining Walls They like a good dressing of well-rotted manure (or compost , The Cabbage White Butterfly and a complete market garden , Cork Flooring - Cork Floors manure); but they intensely dislike rank, fresh manures. Broad Beans are a cool weather , Growing Cacti and Succulents crop, for the seed , Gardening Resources germinates at a low temperatur...
Plants for Hanging Baskets -
Since you will be seeing the basket from below, trailing ones are an obvious choice; plus some to climb up the chains. Very small flowers , Garden Tillers will scarcely show....
Growing Cacti and Succulents -
Cacti and Succulents , Houseplant Drainage thrive on neglect and are almost the only plants , Summer Bulbs that need no watering when you go on holiday. In addition, they are untroubled by central heating or air , Plant Virus Diseases conditioning....
How to Make Compost -
For a good compost , Seed Propagation heap, the layers of refuse should be 6 to 8 in. thick and should be trodden down moderately firmly. If the material is very dry, water , Great Pergola Plants may be added before the activator is applied. If you have to use very tough material such as cabbage...
What Plants to Plant, and Where? -
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