Your Daily Dish

Feeding Outrageous to you Daily

Hide Advertisement
  • Animals
    • Farm
    • Pets
    • Zoo
    • Wildlife
  • Family
    • Grandparents
    • Kids
    • Parents
  • Health
    • Exercise
    • Food
    • Medical
  • Humor
  • Lifestyle
    • News
    • Science & Tech
    • Travel
  • Videos
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How to Grow the Perfect Pumpkin for Fall

By Brian Delpozo 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Sources: Wikipedia, MerryJane, PublicDomanPictures
Sources: Wikipedia, MerryJane, PublicDomanPictures

As fall approaches, pumpkins will once again start taking over the American diet. Pumpkin spice will be everywhere, from lattes to cookies. The healthy fruit can also be available in any gardener’s yard with just a bit of planning, plenty of sunlight, and some hard work. While the growing season is nearing an end, there’s still enough time to get some grown before Halloween.

Like almost every specimen in a good garden, the first step to growing pumpkins in ensuring the soil is correct. Pumpkins need warm, nitrogen-free soil for their best growth, preferably with a pH between six and 6.8. In cooler climates, the soil should be warmed with a piece of black plastic for a week or two before planting.

Advertisement

Placement is also important, as pumpkin vines grow quickly and to large sizes. To ensure they don’t fully take over a given garden, the pumpkins should be planted toward the outside of the garden, three to five feet apart from each other.

Source: That Bloomin Garden
Source: That Bloomin Garden

The next step in proper pumpkin growing is setting up a water schedule system. Pumpkins need a great deal of water, especially when flowering. However, foliage on the plants is very susceptible to fungus and mildew if left wet. Therefore, the best option is to set up a drip system that channels water directly to the soil, avoiding the foliage entirely.

Once your soil is ready and watering system established, actual growth can begin. In the first few weeks, some gardeners pinch the tips out of main vines when they reach about two feet long to get more pumpkins. This can produce a sturdier vine that can set more pumpkins during the growing season. On the other hand, if the goal is fewer, larger pumpkins, pinching off any new flowers that form once there are three to four fruits on the vine is a smart way to go. To avoid rotting, slip a piece of cardboard, newspaper, or other similar material between the fruit and the soil.

Once they’re ready, it’s important for pumpkins to be harvested before frost. The fruit is ripe when the outside is fully colored, skin is hard, and the stem begins to shrivel and dry. To harvest, the stems should be cut with a sharp knife, and lifted from the bottom. Pumpkins should never be lifted by the stem; as the pumpkin won’t store well if the stem becomes broken.

Source: BestFreshChristmasTree.com
Source: BestFreshChristmasTree.com

Once picked, flowers should be cured for roughly two weeks in order to ensure the skin hardens. Pumpkins should then be stored in a cool place, arranging them so they not touching. The ideal storage space has a temperature of 50 degrees.

Following these steps will lead to a garden full of delicious and visually appealing pumpkins ready for the fall.

Advertisement - Continue reading below

sdfdsf

Tips for Growing Your Own Wedding Flowers
Lifestyle
Brian Delpozo 2 min read

Tips for Growing Your Own Wedding Flowers

Texas Grand Jury Investigating Planned Parenthood Instead Indicts Filmmakers
Lifestyle
Jason Owen 3 min read

Texas Grand Jury Investigating Planned Parenthood Instead Indicts Filmmakers

Beastie Boys Awarded Legal Fees After Copyright Lawsuit Win
Entertainment
Sara Wilkins 1 min read

Beastie Boys Awarded Legal Fees After Copyright Lawsuit Win

DC Premieres First ‘Wonder Woman’ Footage, Confirms Green Lantern For ‘Justice League’
Entertainment
Brian Delpozo 2 min read

DC Premieres First ‘Wonder Woman’ Footage, Confirms Green Lantern For ‘Justice League’

Lost Dog Spends a Month Waiting for Its Family on a Lonely Pier
Lifestyle
Brian Delpozo 2 min read

Lost Dog Spends a Month Waiting for Its Family on a Lonely Pier

Mom Opens Special Party Venue Catering to Kids With Autism
Lifestyle
Lauren Boudreau 2 min read

Mom Opens Special Party Venue Catering to Kids With Autism

Disabled Vet Visits Child Who Lost His Leg to Show Him Nothing Has to Hold Him Back
Trending
Jason Owen 2 min read

Disabled Vet Visits Child Who Lost His Leg to Show Him Nothing Has to Hold Him Back

5-Year-Old’s Letter Can’t Persuade George Bush Sr. to Like Broccoli
Lifestyle
Lauren Boudreau 1 min read

5-Year-Old’s Letter Can’t Persuade George Bush Sr. to Like Broccoli

Yarn Wigs Give Kids With Cancer Something to Smile About
Apple
Robin Milling 2 min read

Yarn Wigs Give Kids With Cancer Something to Smile About

Chimpanze Who Smokes Like a Chimney Is (Unfortunately) Biggest Star at North Korean Zoo
Science & Tech
Robin Milling 2 min read

Chimpanze Who Smokes Like a Chimney Is (Unfortunately) Biggest Star at North Korean Zoo

Quarterbacks Go One, Two in NFL Draft First Round Amid Trades and Bizarre Controversy
Apple
Brian Delpozo 3 min read

Quarterbacks Go One, Two in NFL Draft First Round Amid Trades and Bizarre Controversy

Woman Stuns Crowd When She Starts Singing the National Anthem at Lincoln Memorial
Lifestyle
Jason Owen 1 min read

Woman Stuns Crowd When She Starts Singing the National Anthem at Lincoln Memorial

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers