Pumpkins
Synonymous with autumn and Halloween, pumpkins are fun to grow and impressively productive. Choose from carving varieties or smaller, sweeter types perfect for cooking. They need space and a long, warm growing season.
Pumpkins seeds
£2.49 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Late April – May, indoors in pots. Directly sow in late May – early June when soil is warm and frost risk has passed.
Plant out
Late May – early June, after hardening off. Plant into well-prepared 'hills' or mounds.
Harvest
September – October, when skin is hard and deep orange.
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day.
Water
Deep and consistent watering, especially during dry spells and fruit development. Water the base of the plant, not the leaves.
Soil
Rich, fertile, well-drained soil, pH 6.0–7.0. They are heavy feeders so amend generously with compost or manure.
Spacing
At least 1.5 – 3 metres (5-10 ft) between plants, depending on variety. They are sprawling plants.
Containers
Not ideal due to size, but very large containers (70 litres/20 gallons+) can work for smaller varieties. Requires frequent watering and feeding.
Indoors
Start indoors 3-4 weeks before planting out in individual pots (e.g., 9cm) to give them a head start.
Care and harvest
Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid feed every 2 weeks once fruits begin to form, switching to a high-potash feed later.
Pruning
For larger fruits, allow only 2-3 pumpkins per vine. Pinch out the growing tips of vines once the desired number of fruits have set. Remove smaller, later fruits.
Harvesting
Harvest when skin is hard, colour is uniform, and the stem begins to dry. Leave a 5-10cm (2-4 inch) stem attached. Cure in the sun for 10 days for better storage.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place (10-15°C) for several months. Do not store in the fridge.
Good companions: Corn, Beans, Marigolds, Nasturtiums