Some tips for growing pumpkins

We usually pick out our Halloween pumpkin from the local grocery store. But have you ever considered growing your very own Halloween pumpkin? Growing a Halloween pumpkin is not as hard as one might think.

Kinds of Pumpkins for Growing
There are many different varieties of pumpkins. The traditional Halloween pumpkin, or Jack O'Lantern is known as the Connecticut Field Pumpkin. This variety of pumpkin usually weighs in from 10 to 20 pounds, though some can get as pig as 50 pounds! Other kinds of pumpkins include such fun names as Baby Boo, Big Max, Atlantic Giant, and Lumina.

When and where to plant
Pumpkins love sun so chose a spot in the garden that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

The best time to plant the seed is in late spring after the last frost and when the spring rains have tapered off.

Soaking the seed over night helps soften the outer shell for easier sprouting.

Chose a location where the pumpkin will have room to grow. Plant the seed about an inch deep and cover with loossly with moist, not wet soil. Covering the seed well is important as birds love to make a meal of a pumpkin seed.

Keep the soil moist everyday and avoid washing away the soil. Within 7 to 14 days, the sprout should crack the soil.

Pumpkins will grow on long vines. Some may get as long as 30 feet. Pruning and redirecting these vines will allow them to "play nice" in your garden.

When to pick the pumpkin
Most pumpkins require 110-140 growing days. This may vary according to climate and location. As the pumpkin ripens, the vine will show signs of age. Eventually (usually in late August), the vines wither away and the pumpkins remain with brilliant colors. It is best to pick the pumpkin when it is between a deep yellow and firey red color. Be sure to leave several inches of stem as this will help the pumpkin stay fresh.

Keeping the pumpkin in the sun for 10 days allows it to "cure". If there is danger of frost, cover the pumpkin at night.

After the 10 days, store the pumpkin in a cool dry place until it is ready to be carved for Halloween.