Gardening at Home to Grow Your Own Jack-O-Lanterns, Pie Filling and More
Is there a fruit more emblematic of fall than bright, orange pumpkins? These wonderfully varied squash come in a range of sizes and even colors and can be used in a number of ways from decorating your porch to adorning your Thanksgiving table. Pumpkins are also a good source of vitamins A and C. So, if you’d like a fun gardening at home project, pumpkins are a great choice.
Planting Pumpkins
You can plant pumpkin seeds directly into prepared soil. Plan to get seeds into the ground at least 14 weeks prior to your first frost. Plant pumpkins in rows, two seeds per hole about three feet apart. Choose a location that receives strong sun and provides well-drained soil. As you plan your pumpkin patch, keep in mind that vines will extend as far as eight feet.
Harvesting Pumpkins
Harvest your pumpkins when the vine begins to die off and the fruit’s exterior is resistant to fingernail pricks. Cut the pumpkin from the vine leaving at least one inch of stem. To extend the life of your pumpkins, place them someplace with a steady temperature of 70-80 degrees for 14 days. This will “cure” most varieties.
Choosing Pumpkins
When gardening at home with a pumpkin patch, the real question is which type(s) of pumpkins to raise. The smallest and largest sized pumpkins are great for use as ornamentals while the middle sized ones are best for eating.
Miniature pumpkins – Appealing in their minuteness, these squash are perfect for decorative groupings. You can also hollow them out and use shells to serve flavorful dips or hot autumn soups.
Pie pumpkins – The squash of choice for soups, pies, grilled wedges and other recipe needs.
Oilseed pumpkins – These offer a smaller size with attractive green striping. Oilseeds are perfect for horns-o-plenty or other fall arrangements. While the flesh isn’t particularly flavorful, the seeds are great for roasting.
Carving pumpkins – Choose medium to larger sized pumpkins for growing your own jack-o-lantern. The bigger pumpkins aren’t as tasty for cooking, but they are the perfect choice for decorative uses.
Giant pumpkins – The largest pumpkins are nice for setting out on entryways and porches though less desirable for cooking.
Labeling Pumpkins
When you’re gardening at home you don’t have to grow just one type of pumpkin. You could decide to plant a few varieties for different uses. Kincaid Plant Markers can help you identify each variety. We offer three lines of quality plant markers that fit any budget from which to choose, but all bear our signature promise of attractive, long-lasting service.
