Growing Pumpkins

When it's only June, Halloween seems like eons away. But, if you want homegrown pumpkins for fall jack-o'-lanterns and pumpkin pie, early summer is the time to get started on planting your pumpkin patch.

Depending on the variety, pumpkins can take at least 100 days from germination to maturity. Larger varieties take longer, around 120 days. For this nearly 4-month timeframe, mid-June to early July is the prime time to sow pumpkin seeds for a late October harvest. Pumpkins are very sensitive to frost and require warm soil. In northern zones, late May is about the earliest time to plant, and in southern areas, early July is best.

Pumpkins also need lots of space for their sprawling vines. Plant seeds in hills, 5 or 6 seeds per hill, with each seed under about 1 inch of soil. After the seeds germinate and begin growing, thin the hills to the strongest three plants.  Allow 50 to 100 square feet for each hill of three plants. Hills should be 5 to 6 feet apart in rows spaced 10 to 15 feet apart. Water and weed regularly.

Harvest pumpkins when they are deep orange in color and have a firm rind. You can keep them on the vines until October, as long as an early frost doesn't hit. If the vines are struck by disease or frost before Halloween, store the pumpkins in a dry, cool location until it's time to carve.

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