COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Commercial Pumpkin
Production for New Mexico
Revised by Stephanie Walker1

aces.nmsu.edu/pubs • Cooperative Extension Service • Guide H-231

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All species of pumpkin are native to the western hemisphere, with most originating
Mexico, improving
in tropical areas of the Americas. The plants have large leaves and sprawling vines
with coiled, modified leaves called tendrils, although these may be absent on some
the lives of New bush varieties. The pumpkin’s taproot can grow as deep as 5 feet. Lateral roots, how-
ever, are near the surface and are generally longer and more extensive.
Mexicans through Pumpkins are monoecious, which means male and female flowers occur on the
same plant. Bees are usually required for effective pollen transfer. Like other cucurbits
(plants in the Cucurbitaceae, or gourd family), the appearance of male and female
academic, research,
flowers is affected by day length. The first flowers of the season are usually males, fol-
lowed later by females that produce the fruit. Pumpkins will cross with other plants of
and extension the same species, but will not cross with cucumbers, watermelons, or cantaloupes.
Pumpkins and winter squash have similar characteristics, but pumpkin rinds are
programs. generally softer than those of winter squash. When mature, most pumpkins have a
characteristically orange color, although the rinds of some winter squash can also be
orange. Pumpkin flesh is generally coarser, with a stronger flavor. Most pumpkins are
a good source of vitamin A.
Pumpkins were originally grown for their seed, not their flesh. Pumpkin seeds are
often roasted and salted, and are a nutritious snack. Some varieties have been devel-
oped for their naked seed, a mutation that produces seeds without the normal tough
seed coat.
Male pumpkin blossoms can be sautéed in butter, or dipped in egg batter and
fried. There are more male blossoms than female blossoms, and limited harvest of
male blossoms probably will not affect yields.
All About Discovery!TM
New Mexico State University
aces.nmsu.edu 1
Extension Vegetable Specialist, Department of Extension Plant Sciences, New Mexico State University.
TEMPERATURE AND SOIL CONSIDERATIONS 6 feet between plants. Bush varieties are planted in rows 3 to
Pumpkins are a warm-season crop and require a relatively 6 feet apart, with plants 1 to 3 feet apart within the row.
long, warm growing season. The soil temperature at a 2-inch Seeds should be planted 1 to 2 inches deep, preferably
depth should be at least 60°F for good seed germination. in moist soil (pre-irrigated beds that are dry to the touch on
Plants grow best if daily temperatures are between 60 and top). Seeds planted in dry soil and left unirrigated for any
80°F. Pumpkin roots are inefficient in cold soils, which can length of time are subject to attack by rodents. Growers oc-
cause plants to permanently wilt. casionally plant in hills (2 to 3 seeds/hill) and thin to a stand.
Pumpkins are adapted to a wide variety of well-drained Plants are thinned when they have 2 or 3 true leaves. To avoid
soils. Light-textured soils are preferred in colder areas of New disturbing roots of plants that remain in the hills, cut excess
Mexico because they warm up more quickly in the spring. plants off at the soil surface; do not pull them.
Pumpkins do not tolerate wet or poorly aerated soils. Large
amounts of soil organic matter and a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5
favor maximum production. IRRIGATION
Pumpkins can be irrigated less often than summer squash because
they have deeper root systems. There are, however, three critical
SEEDBED PREPARATION AND FERTILIZATION growth stages when moisture stress can be a major problem: seed-
Most soils can be improved by incorporating some organic ling emergence, early bloom, and 10 days before harvest.
matter. Composted manure can be applied in the fall at a rate Inadequate moisture at planting can result in poor and
of 10 to 20 tons per acre. Green manure crops (winter rye, uneven emergence, particularly in areas where soil crusting is
wheat, or barley) planted in fall and turned under a month a problem. Crusts should be carefully broken mechanically or
or two before planting are good sources of organic matter. A kept moist by irrigation until plants emerge. Shortages of wa-
broadcast application of nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of ter at bloom can result in poor fruit set and misshapen fruit.
30 to 50 pounds per acre of nitrogen will help microorgan- When leaves begin to wilt, blossoms will drop rather than set
isms break down the organic matter. fruit. Moisture stress 10 days before harvest can result in a
In addition to plowing and disking, chiseling or subsoil- rapid decline of vines with a reduction in fruit size.
ing fields before planting promotes deeper root penetration, Irrigation methods that that do not wet leaves (drip, fur-
particularly in compacted soils. Preplant fertilizer treatments row) are preferable to overhead methods (sprinkler, pivot)
can be incorporated in the final disking operation for sprin- because moisture on the leaves can increase the incidence
kler irrigation, or by listing for furrow irrigation. Depending of foliar diseases. In furrow-irrigated fields, seeds should be
on row spacing, listed beds can be flattened on top (vegetable planted 2 to 4 inches from the edge (closest to irrigation fur-
beds) with a bed shaper or rototiller to keep pumpkins out of row) of the vegetable bed. Water should never be allowed
irrigation furrows to reduce fruit rots. Fields should be laser to flow over the top of the bed because it will form a crust;
leveled if a flat vegetable bed is required. instead, it should be allowed to soak slowly through the beds
To avoid salt burn on young seedlings, all potassium (100 until they are soaked in the middle. This concentrates salts in
to 150 pounds per acre of K2O) and half the nitrogen (35 to the middle of the beds, away from developing seedlings.
60 pounds per acre of N) fertilizer requirements for a pumpkin If overhead sprinklers are used, apply water in the morning
crop should be broadcast as a preplant application. Phospho- to give leaves a chance to dry before nightfall. Do not sprinkle
rous (60 to 100 pounds per acre of P2O5) can be broadcast or in midmorning during bloom when bees are active. Sprin-
applied in a band 2 inches below and 2 inches to the side of kling will reduce bee activity, resulting in poor fruit set and
the seed row. Phosphorous rates can be cut in half if banded. small and misshapen fruit.
The second application of nitrogen (35 to 60 pounds
per acre) should be applied as a sidedressing 8 to 10
inches from the side of plants and 1 inch deep when POLLINATION AND FRUIT SET
plants begin to form vines. Nitrogen fertilizer applied Pollen from male pumpkin flowers is not carried by the wind;
too deeply or too close to the vine can cause root dam- bees are usually needed for pollen transfer from male to female
age and reduce yields. All fertilizer application rates, flowers. At least one strong honeybee colony per acre is needed
including secondary and minor nutrient requirements, for good pollination, although pollen transfer can be accom-
should be based on soil analysis recommendations. For plished by wild bees. Bee activity may decline during cold, wet,
more information on soil testing, see NMSU Extension or windy weather. To avoid killing bees, spray insecticides only
Guide A-114, Test Your Garden Soil (http://aces.nmsu. in late evening or early morning. Hives should be covered with
edu/pubs/_a/A114.pdf ). tarps before spraying; remove tarps immediately after spraying.
Although the female flowers are receptive to pollen
throughout the day, they generally close in the early after-
PLANTING noon. Whether they set fruit or not depends on whether they
Vining habit and fruit size of each variety should determine were properly pollinated and on the plants’ condition. Fruit
the distance between rows and plants. Row spacing varies set also depends on the number of fruit already set on the
from 5 to 12 feet for large-fruited vining varieties, with 2 to plant. If there are several fruit already set on the plant, further
fruit set may be delayed.

Guide H-231 • Page 2

HARVESTING AND STORAGE pumpkins are not planted on any land where cucurbits have been
Pumpkins grown for Halloween sales must be ready for mar- grown during the previous 4 years. It is also important to destroy
ket by early October. Pumpkins will withstand light frosts any plant residues after harvest.
that can kill vines, but pumpkins should be removed from the Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that first appears on the
field before heavy frosts occur. plants’ upper leaf surfaces. Under favorable conditions, the white,
Pumpkins should be harvested when fully grown and well- powdery spots will spread over the entire leaf. Infected spots
colored. The rind should be hard enough to resist denting eventually turn brown and dry. It is most prevalent in late sum-
by a thumbnail. Fruit can be cut from the vines with prun- mer and early fall when warm weather, afternoon showers, and
ing loopers, leaving approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches of stem dense foliage create an ideal environment for the disease to de-
attached to the fruit. Longer stems tend to get broken off velop. Chemical control involves applying registered fungicides at
in transport, which makes an entry wound for bacteria that the first sign of infection. Fields under sprinkler irrigation should
cause rot. be watered in the early morning to give foliage a chance to dry
New Mexico pumpkins are generally cured in the field before evening.
for a week before transport. Fruit are put in windrows for Bacterial wilt is spread by both the striped and spotted cu-
easier handling when loading on trucks. Curing pumpkins cumber beetles that feed on young seedling pumpkins. The first
in a windrow lets small cuts and bruises heal (callous) before symptoms are dull green patches that appear on leaves, reveal-
transport, which reduces rot in transport and storage. When ing feeding wound damage. Individual leaves eventually wilt,
loading, cull all diseased, insect-damaged, and bruised fruit. followed by vines and then the entire plant. Symptoms can
Care should be used not to bruise any fruit taken to market. also include extensive blossoming and branching on dwarfed
Pumpkins are normally loaded in bulk (loose) in trucks or in plants. Stems cut with a knife secrete a thick white liquid when
large bulk boxes that can be handled with a forklift. squeezed. Treat cucumber beetles with an appropriate insecticide.
If pumpkins are to be stored for any length of time (pie Black rot (gummy stem blight) is a fungal disease that affects
pumpkins), they should be cured for at least 10 days at 80 to both pumpkin foliage and fruit. Irregular yellow spots on foliage
85°F and 80% relative humidity, then stored in a dry, well- eventually turn brown, and spots on pumpkins eventually turn
ventilated area between 50 and 60°F. black as the fungus penetrates the fruit, causing a dry rot. Elon-
gated streaks on infected stems may produce an amber, gummy
liquid. Because the fungus survives in infected seed, control
PEST CONTROL requires planting clean seed. Crop rotation is recommended to
The squash bug is a major pest on pumpkins, particularly in reduce disease pressure. Registered fungicides can also be applied.
warmer areas of the state. The flat-backed, brownish-black adults Weed control can be done with either registered herbicides or
can grow to 5/8 inch long or more. Brownish eggs are deposited cultivation. In wide-row spacing operations, expensive herbicides
in neat rows on the undersides of leaves. Nymphs that emerge, can be applied in a band over the planted row. Less expensive
along with existing adults, puncture leaf tissue to feed on plant herbicides can be used as lay-by applications before vines begin to
sap. Heavy infestation will cause vines to wilt and die. cross. Shallow cultivation and hoeing can be used before plants
Because adult squash bugs overwinter in plant trash, field san- begin to vine.
itation is important to control this pest. Registered insecticides
should be sprayed on the underside of leaves to control young VARIETIES
nymphs when they first appear. A good pumpkin variety performs well under a wide range of
Both striped and spotted cucumber beetles can be a problem environmental conditions. Deciding which variety to plant
when pumpkins first emerge. These beetles transmit bacterial also depends on market requirements, including intended use
wilt, which can cause severe losses later in the season. The small and size of the pumpkins. Table 1 presents a list of pumpkin
(1/5-inch) yellowish-green beetles with longitudinal black stripes varieties suitable for New Mexico growing conditions.
or black spots will riddle young plants by chewing on them. Reg-
istered insecticides should be applied as soon as plants emerge. Original author: George W. Dickerson, Extension horti-
Wilted vines can also be a sign of the squash vine borer. The culture specialist emeritus
brown-headed, 1 to 1 1/4 inch-long white caterpillars can be
found tunneling inside the stems, causing the plants to suddenly
wilt and die. Sawdust-like excrement can often be seen com-
ing from holes in the stem near the soil line. Pupae of this borer Stephanie Walker is NMSU’s Extension
Vegetable Specialist, and has extensive experi-
overwinter in the soil and emerge about the time vines begin to ence in the food processing industry. Her
run. Small, black, wasp-like moths emerge when the pupae split primary research interests include genetics and
and lay eggs on the stem bases. Larvae hatch in about one or two breeding of chile peppers, vegetable mechaniza-
weeks, then bore into the stems. Registered insecticides should be tion, enhancing pigment content, post-harvest
quality, and irrigation efficiency. She works to
applied before and during the egg hatch. help commercial vegetable growers enhance the
Other insects that occasionally cause losses include cutworms, sustainability and profitability of their opera-
aphids, flea beetles, leafhoppers, and spider mites. tions through collaboration, experimenta-
Crop rotation is one of the best ways to prevent or reduce dis- tion, and information sharing.
ease infestations on pumpkins. Maximum protection is gained if

Guide H-231 • Page 3

 Table 1. Pumpkin Varieties Suitable for New Mexico Growing Conditions
Variety Days to Maturity Color Avg. Fruits/Plant Avg. Weight/Fruit (lb)
Giant Pumpkins
‘Prizewinner’ (F1) 115 Bright orange 1–2 33–75
‘Dill’s Atlantic Giant’ 120 Pinkish to orange 1–2 50–100
‘Big Max’ 120 Bright orange 1–2 100
Mid-large Pumpkins
‘Racer’ (F1) 85 Dark orange 2–3 12–16
‘Champion’ (F1) 90 Dark orange 1 30
‘Big Rock’ (F1) 98 Medium orange 1–2 24–32
‘Charisma’ PMR 98 Dark orange 2–3 16–22
‘Expert’ (F1) 98 Dark orange 1–2 22–30
‘New Rocket’ (F1) 98 Dark orange 2–3 16–22
‘Rock Star’ (F1) 98 Dark orange 1–2 20–28
‘Tom Fox’ 110 Dark orange 2–3 10–16
‘Triple Treat’ 110 Deep orange 2–3 8–10
‘Howden Biggie’ 115 Medium orange 1 30–40
‘Connecticut Field’ 120 Medium orange 2–3 15
‘Wolf ’ 120 Medium orange 1–2 16–24
Small/Pie Pumpkins
‘Orange Smoothie’ (F1) 95 Medium orange 4–5 6–9
‘Summer Ball’ (F1) 95 Medium orange 20 3–3.5
‘Wee-B-Little’ 95 Deep orange 8 10–14 oz
‘Jack B Little’ 95 Medium orange 12 6–13 oz
‘Winter Luxury’ 105 Medium orange 3–4 5–7
‘Baby Bear’ 105 Deep orange 8 1.5–2.5
‘Baby Pam’ 105 Deep orange 4–5 4
‘Small Sugar’ 105 Deep orange 4–5 5–8
Specialty Pumpkins
‘Lady Godiva’ 90 Green/orange 10–12 4–6
‘Autumn Crown’ 100 Tan 3–5 2–4
‘Speckled Hound’ 100 Orange/blue-green 8 3–6
‘Kakai’ 100 Black striped 2–3 5–8
‘Marina Di Chioggia’ 100 Blue/green 2 6–12
‘American Tondo’ 100 Deep orange 3 6–14
‘Jarrahdale’ 100 Gray 2 6–10
‘Moonshine’ (F1) 100 White 10 8–12
‘Knuckle Head’ (F1) 105 Deep orange 2 12–16
‘Long Island Cheese’ 108 Tan 2 6–10
‘Valenciano’ 110 White 2 10–18
‘Rouge Vif D’Etampes’ 115 Scarlet 2 10–15
‘Naples Long’ 125 Green to tan 10 20–25
‘Bliss’ (F1) 125 Green/orange 6 10–15
‘Musque de Provence’ 125 Tan 2 8–15

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Revised May 2018 Las Cruces, NM

Guide H-231 • Page 4