Small Sugar: A beloved heirloom variety for pie and canning, producing 6-8 lb fruits with fine-textured flesh and a rich orange color. The flesh is particularly sweet and smooth, making it a favorite for traditional pumpkin recipes. Best spacing: 2 ft. x 6 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.
