DavidGrowing pumpkins from seeds is a great way to add flavor to any fall meal. Not only will you have an easy harvest, but you will also be able to save time and money growing your own!
To grow pumpkin from seeds, you’ll need to choose quality seeds, select the planting area, prepare the planting area, prepare the seeds, plant the seeds, water regularly, apply fertilizer, weed and mulch plant bed, pest control, and harvest.
Pumpkin seeds are one of the easiest vegetables to grow and have a quick germination time. It thrives best in warm sunny locations and moisture-retentive locations. Plus, you can harvest your pumpkins in a little over 100 days.
This guide will teach you how to grow pumpkins and harvest your first crop so that you can start enjoying the sweet rewards of this versatile vegetable.
How To Grow Pumpkins From Seeds
Now, we will discuss the important steps on how to grow pumpkins from seed. Ensure you follow all outlined steps.
Step 1 – Choose Quality Seeds
To choose quality pumpkin seeds, you can check out a seed catalog or look for seeds online to pick out and purchase a fresh packet of seeds. Also, you can try to plant seeds that came from a pumpkin you bought at the store.
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The common variety of pumpkin seeds planted includes pie pumpkin varieties, miniature pumpkin varieties, Autumn Gold, Dill’s Atlantic Giant, Casper (white pumpkin), and Jack-O’Lantern pumpkins.
Step 2 – Select Planting Area
Choose a planting location that receives full sunlight with shade. Because pumpkins prefer soil that is not too wet, the soil should be able to drain.
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You’ll need a large area to plant your pumpkin because pumpkins require space to grow, and the soil’s pH should be between 6 and 6.8. Importantly, the area should be free of pests, insects, and weeds.
Step 3 – Prepare the Planting Area
You can choose to grow pumpkins in your backyard or on large farmland for commercial purposes. If there are unwanted plants of any size existing on the land, clear them. Till and plow the land either manually or mechanically.
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A few weeks before planting, mix some organic compost or manure into your soil and level the land.
Step 4 – Prepare the Seeds
If you’re planting seeds that you extracted from the inside of a fresh pumpkin, remove the pulp and rinse the seeds in a colander with cold water. Then, separate and select the largest seeds, and spread them out on a paper towel to air-dry.
For store-bought pumpkin seeds, you need to spread them on a layer of wax paper and let them dry overnight. Once the seeds are dry, line a baking sheet with paper towels, and spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer.
Step 5 – Plant the Seeds
Make a mound on the farmland in which to plant your pumpkin seeds. It should be shaped like a hill and spaced 4 to 8 feet apart. Improve drainage and pest control.
Growing pumpkins directly from seed is the best method of planting. So, plant 2 or 3 seeds about 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep in the center of the mound. After planting, pat the soil over the seeds and thoroughly water them.
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Step 6 – Water Regularly
Water the pumpkin plants regularly if there is no rain or if they are planted during the dry season. Never allow the soil to loose moisture and completely dry out.
Water is essential for pumpkin plants. So, when the soil appears to be dry, thoroughly water the pumpkin bed so that the deep-seated roots can be reached.
Step 7 – Apply Fertilizer
You will need to fertilize the plants if they are not growing properly. Spread manure around the plant base or apply an organic fertilizer to the planting bed.
To encourage healthy growth and prevent weeds from taking over, do this right after the seedlings sprout.
Step 8 – Weed and Mulch Plant Bed
Spotted weeds should be removed by hand at best to avoid the competition of space and nutrients.
Add mulch around the perimeter to keep the soil moist and the pumpkin plants hydrated. Mulching can be done with dry weeds and grass.
Step 9 – Pest and Disease Control
You should also keep an eye out for pests, as pumpkin plants are vulnerable to a variety of pests that eat the leaves and vines, including spotted and striped cucumber beetles, four-line beetles, aphids, and squash bugs, all of which are common pests you might find crawling over your plants.
You can remove them by hand or by spraying them with a stream of water. If plain water isn’t working, try wiping down the leaves with soapy water or a water-ammonia solution.
Pesticides are the last resort and should be used only when necessary because they harm beneficial bees, which pollinate pumpkin flowers and keep the plant healthy.
Step 10 – Harvest
The final step to growing pumpkins is to harvest the mature plants and prepare them for consumption or market pumpkins should all be the same color (either a white, orange, or mottled variety). The vines will begin to dry out and wither away. Most importantly, the skin of the pumpkins will be hard.
How Long Does It Take for Pumpkins To Grow From Seed?
Pumpkins are fast growing plants despite their enormous size. Generally, pumpkins have a growing period of 80 to 100 days.
Can You Plant Seeds Straight From A Pumpkin?
You can plant seeds straight from a pumpkin. However, you have to prepare the seeds for planting. You will have to extract the seeds from inside the pumpkin, remove the pulp and rinse the seeds in a colander with cold water because the seeds are sticky.
After that, you have to separate and select the seeds you desire to plant, and spread them out on a paper towel to air-dry.
How Do You Germinate Pumpkin Seeds?
To germinate your pumpkin seeds, you need to soak them overnight before planting. Then sow the seeds in moist and warm soil either in a pot or on farmland that receives full sunlight.
When Should I Start Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkins require 75-100 days to mature from seed to harvest. Therefore, the best time to start a pumpkin seed is in late May to early July.
How Many Pumpkins Will One Plant Produce?
A single pumpkin plant can produce between two to five pumpkins depending on the care given.
Should I Soak My Pumpkin Seeds Before Planting?
You can soak pumpkin seeds before planting to hasten the germination process.
What Happens If You Bury A Pumpkin?
If you bury your pumpkins, they will rot and decompose adding nutrients to your garden soil.
How Do I Save Pumpkin Seeds For Planting?
If you are not ready to plant your pumpkin seeds right away, you can store the seeds by placing them in an envelope and kept away in your refrigerator.
What to Put Under Growing Pumpkins?
You can place a piece of cardboard or newspaper, and or a bed of sand under your growing pumpkins to keep them healthy and not rot or decompose.
Should I Start Pumpkin Seeds Indoors?
Pumpkin is best grown from seed. However, you can grow them indoors if you want to plant them as a food crop. You should plant your pumpkins two to three weeks before the last frost.
Do Pumpkin Seeds Need To Freeze To Germinate?
Pumpkin seeds do not thrive well in cold or freezing temperatures. If pumpkin seed freezes, the germination process and yield will be very low. The minimum temperature
Will 2-Year-Old Pumpkin Seeds Grow?
You can still plant seeds from a 2-year-old pumpkin. However, know that most pumpkin seeds are effective for at least a year, after that the seed begins to lose value.
How Often Should Pumpkins Be Watered?
Pumpkins require a lot of water. As such water daily especially in the morning and later evening. Overall, pumpkins require 2 inches of water every week. More so, water the plant deeply so that the deep-seated root can be reached.
What Is the Best Time to Plant Pumpkins?
The best time to plant pumpkins is from early May through to June. However, varieties with longer growing seasons should be planted early compared to those with the shorter growing season.
Can You Grow Pumpkins in Pots?
It is very much possible to grow pumpkins in pots. All you need do is to fill the pot with compost or potting mix. Plant the prepared seedlings 2 inches deep in moist and warm soil.
Make sure you place the pot in a sunny location and water it often. Apply fertilizer at the early germination stage, also mulch to keep soil and plant hydrated.
Conclusion
I believe you’ve learned all that you need to know on how to grow pumpkins from seed as discussed in this article. The steps discussed here are compiled to help you successfully establish a pumpkin farm and grow the fruit yourself. Give us feedback to know how helpful this informative piece is to you.
