Looking for ways to decorate your home and garden for autumn? Growing pumpkins is easy to do, budget-friendly, and super fun. Learn how to grow pumpkin plants with these simple tips.
Pumpkins are a warm-season vining annual plant that comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and textures.
The pumpkin plant is highly sensitive to frost and cold temperatures. They thrive in warm weather and require a frost-free period to successfully produce fruit. Once the growing season is over, pumpkin plants will typically die back.
About PumpkinsThe pumpkin plant can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9. In colder zones, it’s essential to choose pumpkin varieties with shorter growing seasons to ensure they mature before the first frost.
Soil and LightPumpkins need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight and thrive in well-draining, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter.
WateringIt's a good idea to water deeply and infrequently to avoid overwatering. Drip irrigation is best to keep the water off the vines and soak the roots. As the fruit ripens, reduce watering.
Pollination Pumpkins have separate male and female flowers. So you need the pollinators to do their thing! If you aren't growing many flowers or don't see many bees around, you need to ensure the plant is pollinated so it fruits.
Pest and Disease Keep an eye out for common pumpkin pests like aphids, squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Pumpkins are also susceptible to powdery mildew.
Follow along to learn more about growing pumpkins and harvesting the fruits.