How can I protect my pumpkins from pests?Īt the beginning of the season, cover your plants with floating row covers to protect them from common culprits like squash bugs, squash vine borers and cucumber beetles. That's okay! As long as the female flowers get pollinated, you're set to go. (You can tell them apart because female flowers in the squash family have an ovary - what looks like a mini fruit - right below them.) The male flowers typically open first and fall off. Pumpkins produce both male and female flowers. But as long as you have enough time before cold weather and winter frosts set in, go ahead! Why are my pumpkin flowers falling off? Many varieties need at least 100 days to grow gourds, making July a great time to start planting. Check the seed packet for the "Days to Maturity" to determine when you can expect to harvest your crop. Pumpkins generally take about three months to reach maturity, but it can depend on the variety. "Having some kind of mulch, like straw, will help reduce the evaporative loss of moisture from the soil, and it will help cool the soil a little bit and keep the pumpkins cleaner," Lerner says. Spreading a layer of straw underneath your developing crop can help protect the gourds during the hot summer months. What should I put under growing pumpkins? (A half-barrel planter could do the trick.) Take care to monitor the soil - container gardens will dry out faster than normal beds. Yes! The bigger the container, the better. Using saved seeds could serve as a fun experiment, but it's worth spending a couple bucks on vetted seeds for reliably growing jack-o'-lanterns by Halloween. "Chances are pretty good they're not."Įven if the seeds do germinate, they may produce a different plant if cross-pollination with another squash species occurred. ![]() "It may or may not be harvested when the seeds are completely mature," Lerner says. You' re better off buying seeds from a reputable brand than saving ones from a random pumpkin. Can I plant the seeds from a store-bought pumpkin? Have more questions about growing gourds? Here's what you need to know. $11 at Amazon $12 at Home Depot $12 at Tractor Supply Co Credit: Amazon After diagnosing the issue, treat certain pests (such as cucumber beetles, slugs and flea beetles) with insecticide, while fungal disease can be cured with fungicide. Ignoring pests: Always pay close attention to your plants to make sure they're healthy.Leave at least one foot of space between each one and give them their own bed. Growing them close to other plants: Pumpkin plant vines can become overwhelming, so growing them too close to your other plant babies won't leave space for the others to prosper.Leaving the pumpkins on the ground for too long: To prevent the bottom of your plant from becoming soft or rotting, use a barrier, such as cardboard, underneath.If they're yellow, leave them on the vine until they turn a bright orange. Harvesting them too early: Pumpkins turn orange when they're ready for plucking. ![]() ![]() Use a watering can or steady drip hose to give them the proper amount. Underwatering the plant: Because pumpkins grow so quickly, they require plenty of water daily.Here are a few mistakes and how to solve them. However, if you don't take the proper time to care for your future jack-o'-lanterns, you may find them quickly crawling all over your garden and taking up more space than wanted. ![]() Growing your own pumpkins can be a great learning experience, especially for those looking to expand their green thumb. Then enjoy the fruits of your labor - either by carving, cooking or decorating. Cut the vine with pruning shears, leaving several inches of stem attached. Definitely harvest before a heavy frost, which will damage the fruits, Burpee advises. Harvest your pumpkins.Īfter several months of growing, your pumpkins will reach maturity when the rinds harden and reach the desired shade.
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