| Pumpkins are a popular vegetable grown in many | | | | 1. The seed you choose will be based on your own |
| home gardens around the world. There are many | | | | preference. Soft skinned pumpkins are easy to cut |
| species, all of which propagate easily from seed and | | | | but do not have an extended shelf life. Harder skins |
| can be used in a variety of ways in the home | | | | are hard to prepare but they do have a greatly |
| kitchen. They are ideally grown using organic inputs | | | | extended shelf life. |
| and methods. | | | | 2. As with any planting the soil should be rich with |
| Pumpkins grow well in most situations where they | | | | plenty of compost and manures dug in. Pumpkins are |
| receive adequate drainage allowing the soil to remain | | | | best planted straight in their final growing position, |
| damp but not waterlogged. A slightly shaded position | | | | however they can be started off under cover if you |
| is ideal because pumpkins can transpire drastically | | | | are hoping for an early crop. Small mounds can be |
| under direct sunlight. Pumpkins do not tolerate frost | | | | prepared around 30cm high and seeds planted in the |
| well as a result is grown as a summer vegetable. | | | | top of these mounds. Plant seeds around 2 inches |
| One of the few problems for most home gardens | | | | deep. Water well and cover with a protective bird |
| will be the space required to grow your pumpkins. | | | | netting to stop birds or other critters digging at the |
| Because the plants creep along the ground, a single | | | | mounds before the seeds germinate. |
| seed can take up a lot of otherwise useful ground | | | | 3. The seeds will emerge within a couple of weeks |
| space, which could have been used for other | | | | and once established the bird netting can be |
| vegetable plants. This situation can be overcome by | | | | removed. Pumpkins can grow pretty well without |
| using a trellis to grow smaller pumpkin species along. | | | | further effort other than maintaining adequate water, |
| Larger pumpkins are not usually suitable for use | | | | particularly during extended dry spells. Some well |
| growing along a trellis due to the weight of the | | | | rotten chicken manure can be added after the plants |
| pumpkins as they begin to develop - but there are | | | | have established if you desire. |
| work arounds. I have seen some clever alternatives | | | | 4. If you choose to grow your pumpkins along a |
| allowing large pumpkins to grow along trellis. | | | | trellis, you will have already added a structure before |
| A friend showed me his "pumpkin tables" a couple of | | | | planting the seeds. As the pumpkins grow you will |
| years ago. They were cleverly crafted tables that | | | | begin training them along the trellis. Alternatively they |
| could hook into any part of the trellis wherever a | | | | can be grown along the ground in a fashion that does |
| pumpkin began to develop. As the pumpkin (fruit) | | | | not cause them to take over the whole garden. |
| grew it would sit on the table for support, protecting | | | | 5. Mulching is generally not required if the plants are |
| it from falling prematurely and taking the stress off | | | | grown over the ground, however, if you grow them |
| the plant as it developed. | | | | along a trellis, a thick covering of pea straw will help |
| There are 5 simple steps to growing organic | | | | retain moisture over hot periods. |
| pumpkins successfully every time in any home garden | | | | Due to their intolerance to frost, Pumpkins should be |
| environment. | | | | planted after the risk of frost has passed and should |
| | | | be harvested before autumn frosts begin. |