| Pumpkin - provides fibre, contains potassium and | | | | Pumpkins don't like sitting in wet soil so only water |
| carotenoids (the antioxidants found in orange, yellow, | | | | when necessary, but water deeply. Powdery mildew |
| red and dark green vegetables). | | | | can be a problem for pumpkins, so watering from |
| It is wonderful as a cooked veggie, makes great | | | | below is helpful in preventing this disease. |
| soup and delicious pumpkin pie. | | | | There are several pests that will attack pumpkins, so |
| Pumpkins are so easy to grow that you most likely | | | | it is best to grow in a companion planting situation |
| know the basics, but here's a few tips for you | | | | such as with corn, beans and radishes. |
| anyway. Consider growing different varieties as there | | | | Keep weeds at bay by adding organic mulch to the |
| are many interesting pumpkins to choose from. | | | | soil surface around your pumpkins once the soil has |
| Pumpkins are warm-season vegetables that don't like | | | | warmed enough. |
| to be transplanted. The seeds are large, so are best | | | | Male and female flowers appear on the same vine. |
| sown directly in the position that they will occupy for | | | | The fruits develop from the base of the female |
| the summer. They will need between three and four | | | | flower, which soon withers and drops off. Most |
| months of frost-free days to reach maturity. | | | | pumpkins take around 50 days to mature, so you'll be |
| Sow your pumpkins seeds in a well drained, fertile | | | | harvesting in autumn (fall). |
| soil, in a sunny position, as you want them to grow | | | | Wait until the vine starts to die off and the fruit has |
| quickly. They prefer a soil pH of around 6.0. Add | | | | developed a rich colour. The stem right next to the |
| organic matter to the soil before planting and follow | | | | pumpkin should be dry and hard before removing it |
| up with a measure of organic fertilizer half way | | | | from the vine. Make sure the stem remains attached |
| through the growth cycle. | | | | to the pumpkin or it will not store for very long. |
| Pumpkins do well planted three to five in small | | | | It is best to "cure" your harvest for between 7 and |
| mounds. Push each seed into the soil about 2cm / | | | | 10 days at around 25°C / 80°F, then store |
| 1inch deep. In a month or so, thin to the healthiest | | | | in a cool, dry place. |
| two or three plants per mound. Space your mounds | | | | There are so many wonderful varieties to choose |
| about 1metre / 3feet to 1.5metres / 4.5feet apart. | | | | from, with such varying shapes and sizes. Remember |
| Or you could try growing them in rows, placing two | | | | to save the seeds of your most successful pumpkins |
| seeds per hole about 1metre / 3feet between seeds. | | | | so that you can grow even better ones next season. |