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