Casper: A unique white-skinned pumpkin with a smoother surface than other white varieties. This variety has mild flavor and fewer ribs, making it ideal for painting or pie baking. The white skin maintains its color well in storage and shows good resistance to yellowing. Best spacing: 4 ft. x 7 ft.
Pumpkin Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow pumpkin seeds outdoors after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least 65°F (18°C), typically in late spring.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining, fertile soil. Pumpkins require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily and plenty of space for vines to spread.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches and incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep in small mounds or hills, spacing 2–3 seeds per hill.
- Space hills 4–6 feet apart for small varieties and 6–10 feet apart for larger varieties. Thin to the strongest seedling per hill after germination.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7–10 days. Once established, water deeply and regularly, especially during flowering and fruit development.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start pumpkin seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last expected frost date for an earlier harvest.
- Containers: Use biodegradable pots or deep containers to reduce root disturbance during transplanting.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep, placing 1 seed per pot.
- Cover lightly with soil mix and water gently.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 70–85°F (21–29°C) for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 5–10 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F (18°C) and all risk of frost has passed. Space plants according to variety size, ensuring adequate room for vines.
General Care Tips for Pumpkins
- Sunlight: Provide full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Pumpkins thrive in warm temperatures.
- Watering: Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruit development. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
- Fertilizing: Pumpkins are heavy feeders. Enrich soil with compost at planting and side-dress with a balanced fertilizer when vines begin to spread and again when fruit starts to develop.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching helps control weeds and maintain soil moisture.
- Pollination: Pumpkins rely on pollinators for fruit production. If pollination is poor, hand-pollinate flowers using a small brush.
- Supporting Vines: Provide ample space for vines to spread. For smaller varieties, a sturdy trellis may be used with slings to support the fruit.
- Harvesting: Harvest pumpkins when the skin is hard and fully colored, and the stem begins to dry out. Cut the pumpkin from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving a 2–3 inch stem attached to prolong storage life.
