Things Needed
The first recorded pumpkin vine arise in Kentucky was planted in Richmond , Kentucky , in the 1700s , reports the University of Kentucky . Since then , thousands ofpumpkinshave been grown in the Bluegrass State . Whether you want pumpkins to carve for Halloween , to eat , or both , you could sow seed in your backyard and bring up your own gourd in as small as 90 days .
Step 1
enclose a probe - style thermometer into the ground to take the dirt temperature . Pumpkins thrive well in affectionate grow weather and should not be implant until the temperature of the air and soil is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit . Keep in mind that pumpkin have different mature rates depending on the smorgasbord . If you want fresh pumpkins around the Halloween season , the University of Kentucky recommends embed later harvest pumpkins — those that take 100 or more daylight to age — in tardy May or early June , and forgetful harvest pumpkin varieties in early or mid - June .
Step 2
groom a sunny garden spot that has n’t hosted cucurbit craw , such as squashes , cucumbers or melons , in the past 36 calendar month . apply a nigga and break up the stain to a depth of 8 to 12 column inch . Mix in 4 to 5 inches of older manure or compost — pumpkins love deep soil — and apply a basic balanced 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer at the rate listed on the specific fertilizer ’s recording label .
Step 3
work up a mound of soil that measures just about 6 inches high and 36 inch in diameter . If you ’re erecting more than one hammock , outer space each mound apart by 5 groundwork .
Step 4
works three pumpkin seeds in the essence of each mound , spaced 1 inch or 2 apart and buried 1inch below the stain Earth’s surface .
Step 5
irrigate the hillock once a day , using enough weewee to moisten the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inch . The pumpkin cum will in general burgeon forth and break the soil surface within 10 to 14 days .
Step 6
lose weight out the autumn pumpkin mound once the seedling have grown three to four leaves . distinguish the warm , marvelous Cucurbita pepo seedling and remove its two sibling .
Step 7
Water your pumpkins on an as - ask basis . Kentucky rainfall is generally sufficient , but there is commonly a two- to four - week drought stop during the summer when your pumpkin plant might commence to exhibit signs of drouth accent , such as foliation curl up or wilt . During these meter , the University of Kentucky urge irrigate the plants with 1 to 2 inch of water a week .
Step 8
glean your pumpkins once the fruit have turn orange . For the best results , harvest on a dry and sunny day by cutting off the fruit with pruning shear and leave 4 to 5 inches of stem leave behind on the Cucurbita pepo . Although you could exit the pumpkins out in the discipline , the University of Kentucky warns that it only take a night of big frost to damage your crop .
