At some point this month, almost every pumpkin grower will finally be able to get out into the pumpkin patch to begin getting it ready for the season. It is a very important time for growing our favorite fruit. Everything you can do to improve and enrich the soil will reward you in September, with more and bigger pumpkins. There are plenty of natural, organic materials and soil amendments, that you can add in ample amounts. How to improve and enrich your garden soil.
Is the soil in your garden perfectly balanced for your plants? If you do not know the answer to this question, it is time to perform a soil test. Then, you will know if you need to correct the soil pH level. See Garden Soil ph.
Once you get out into the garden to work and improve the soil, you will undoubtedly get the urge to start planting. However, you must resist that urge if the last frost date in your area has not passed. Pumpkin plants are tender annuals. Frost will kill them. And, cold nights can stunt their growth. While you anxiously await the last frost date, you can turn your attention to cold weather crops. Seed Starting Dates
If you haven’t acquired your seeds yet, now is the time to do so. As the spring season progresses, some stores will begin to run out of certain varieties. Seed supplies are much better this year than in the past couple of years. But, why risk finding out that your favorite variety is sold out!? Online Garden Seed & Supplies
In addition to surfing all the online seed-selling sites, contact fellow growers. Contact garden organizations in your area. And, most importantly, check out the giant pumpkin-growing organizations online, the ones that hold giant weigh-offs. They can be a great source of giant seeds with great genetics, as well as different and unique seeds. Check out giant pumpkin organizations today.
Every grower feels the urge to grow a giant pumpkin at least once in their lives. Those who try, often are hooked for life. The challenge is huge. While there are many varieties out there, we highly recommend you look for Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds, the granddaddy of them all. Check out the giant pumpkin growing organizations online, the ones that hold giant pumpkin weigh-offs. They can be a great source of seeds with great genetics, as well as different and unique seeds. More on Growing Giant Pumpkins
The Focus right now is about to turn from seed acquisition to seed germination. Will you directly sow seeds into the garden? Or, will you start them indoors? Without a doubt, early starts are best begun indoors, where temperature and soil moisture can be best controlled. For bigger varieties, like the Atlantic Giant, we encourage you to start your plants indoors. We recommend providing bottom heat with a germination mat, too. It results in faster and more successful seed germination. More on Seed Germination
Test your soil. The very best gardens begin with ideal soil pH and fertilizer. April is the perfect time to test your soil. Do this twice: before and after you prepare the garden soil for the season. See more on Garden Soil pH.
Ask any kid, and he or she will tell you they want to grow a big, big pumpkin. You must deliver. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (and you have), is to fuel the growth of your fruit to produce the biggest pumpkins your chid has ever seen. Also along the way, you also need to be diligent and guard against insects and plant disease, especially powdery mildew.
Keep your patch well watered.
Turn over a spadeful of soil. Is it moist down several inches? Great! More on watering pumpkins.
Add a layer of compost.
This feeds the plant, helps to retain soil moisture, and helps to keep weeds down.
Big pumpkins have big appetites.
Use regular applications of fertilizer. More on fertilizers.
Tender loving care.
Maintain the health of your plants. Keep a vigilant eye for insect problems and plant disease. Apply insecticides and fungicides before problems arise.
Cover the vines with garden soil.
This promotes secondary root growth, and results in much bigger fruit.
How to grow pumpkins.
Get more on how to grow them.
Todays’ Quiz question: Pumpkins come in many colors. Which colors are pumpkin colors?
A. Orange
B. White
C. Blue
D. Green
E. Red
F. Yellow
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Let's Talk Gardening and Growing all kinds of plants! Do you want to talk about gardening, read seasonal appropriate articles about gardening, or share some pictures of your garden. Join in on the fun, visit the garden blog!
Aside from the giants, most varieties can be sowed directly into your garden, if you have enough frost free days. Find out more
You are experiencing poor pollination. It's pretty common. Here's how to assure pollination. Find out more
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed well over a ton. There's a lot of other amazing pumpkin records too. See them
There's many pumpkin festivals and weigh-off sites all over the U.S., and Canada. And, many others around the world. Find one near you
Growing pumpkins is fun. Like other gardening activities, researchers tell us its therapeutic. Eating pumpkins is healthy for you. Add a little pumpkin to your diet all year long.
More on Pumpkins and Your Health
See a plethora of pumpkin recipes in Pumpkin Nook’s Cookbook
