Pumpkin

Botanical Name

Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, C. argyrosperma

Hardiness

Annual

Height

18 to 36 inches

Width

5 to 15 feet

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained, organic

Planting & Care

Pumpkins require warm soil temperatures of 70°F to 105°F to germinate. Hold off planting in spring until the soil has reached this temperature and all danger of frost has passed.
VINING: Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 4 or 5 seeds per hill. Space hills 5 to 6 feet apart, in rows 10 to 15 feet apart. Thin seedlings to 2 to 3 plants per hill.
BUSH: Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 1 to 2 seeds per foot of row. Space rows 4 to 6 feet apart. Thin seedlings to a single plant every 3 feet.
SEMI-BUSH: Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 4 or 5 seeds per hill. Space hills 4 feet apart, in rows 8 feet apart. Thin seedlings to 2 plants per hill.
MINIATURE: Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 1 to 2 seeds per 2 feet of row. Space rows 6 to 8 feet apart. Thin seedlings to 1 plant every 2 feet.
Mulch soil around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Mound soil around the base of plants to discourage squash vine borers from laying eggs
Use a floating row cover early in the season to warm the soil and combat insects. Be sure to remove before flowering to allow for pollination.

Problems

Powdery mildew, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, squash vine borer

Varieties

Baby Bear - small fruit, flattened shape
Big Autumn - yellow when mature, large fruit
Cucurbita maxima 'Atlantic Giant' - jumbo fruit
Cucurbita pepo 'Baby Boo' - miniature, white
Orange Smoothie - petite 5-8 pound fruit with smooth skin, All-America Selections winner
Hijinks - 7-9 pound fruit, AAS winner
Cindarella's Carriage - very attractive, bright reddish-orange Cindarella-type pumpkin, powdery mildew resistant, AAS winner
Super Moon - up to 50 pounds, smooth, white skin with yellow flesh, AAS winner
Pepitas - highly ornamental, 9-12 pound pumpkins, orange exterior is marbled with green, seeds are hulless and ideal for slow roasting, AAS winner
Blue Prince - 7-9 pound ornamental blue flattened pumpkins, early to mature, great tasting, AAS winner