Growing Conditions
Pumpkins require full sun, rich soil, and warm weather. Choose a location with rich, well-draining soil that receives a minimum of six hours of sun per day. Pumpkins are heavy feeders, so it's essential to prepare your soil for planting by amending with compost.

Starting
Pumpkins may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost. Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days. Once your seeds have sprouted, keep them in a warm, bright location such as a south-facing windowsill or under grow lights. Check soil moisture regularly and water as needed. When seedlings produce two sets of true leaves, they may be transplanted up into 4" pots. Ensure your seedlings receive enough light or they will become thin and leggy. If needed they can be fertilized with a diluted fertilizer, and may need to be potted up again before it is time to transplant them out.

Pumpkin seedlings must be hardened off before they are transplanted outside. Start on a mild day and place your seedlings outside for about an hour, then bring them back in for the rest of the day. Increase the amount of time they spend outside each day until they're ready to move outside permanently. For the first week, keep seedlings out of direct sunlight and strong wind and don't move them outside if the weather is harsh. When the seedlings are ready and the risk of frost has passed they may be transplanted into the garden. When spacing your pumpkin plants, consider their mature size and allow ample space in between (at least 3 feet).  

Pumpkins may also be direct sown in the garden in warmer climates after the soil has warmed to 21°C. Consult your seed packet to determine the days to maturity and confirm your season is long enough to direct sow. Pumpkins are susceptible to cold damage and should not be planted out when the risk of frost remains. Plant several seeds in a mounded hill of soil or in well-spaced rows, and thin to the strongest plant after they have sprouted. There should be at least 3 feet between plants.

Find our full guide to seed starting here.

Care
Pumpkins should be planted in a full sun area with well-draining soil. Pumpkins will benefit from regular feeding and can be fertilized every 2 weeks. Avoid using fertilizers too high in nitrogen which will encourage green leafy growth but no flowers or fruit. Water regularly and deeply as needed depending on the weather in your region. Pumpkins require consistent watering for the best tasting fruits, typically 1" per week. Mulch can be added around the base of each plant to help retain water in the soil.

Row covers can be used to protect plants from pests, but should be removed before flowering to allow for pollination. The use of pesticides may be harmful to bees which are necessary for pumpkins to fruit, so we suggest choosing organic pest control methods whenever possible. Plant pollinator-friendly flowers near your pumpkin plants to encourage bees and other insects to visit. 

To grow very large pumpkins, after fruit begins to form vines may be cut back to keep only one fruit per vine. Remove other female flowers and extra lateral vines. Fertilize weekly and avoid overhead watering. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. You can slip a board or plastic sheet beneath your pumpkin to reduce the risk of rot and insect activity. We recommend planting Atlantic Giant seeds for the biggest pumpkins!

Pests and Diseases
Aphids - Small green, black, or brown insects that feed on the sap of garden plants. You'll find them under leaves, at blossom tips, and in the joints of stems.
Cucumber Beetles - Black and yellow striped beetles that eat tender leaves, creating large holes between leaf veins.
Anthracnose - A fungal disease characterized by yellow or dark spots on leaves.
Blossom End Rot - A calcium deficiency often caused by inconsistent watering that causes dark spots on the blossom end of fruit. 
Mosaic Virus - A virus that causes mottled light and dark spots on leaves and stunted growth.
Powdery Mildew - White mildew on the top surfaces of leaves, starting as small spots and growing to cover the entire leaf.

Crop rotation, garden cleaning, and proper spacing between plants are the best ways to prevent problems caused by pests and diseases. Diatomaceous earth can be used to control crawling pest species, while sticky traps will catch flying pests. Row covers and insect netting can also prevent travelling pests from landing on your crops and causing damage. Ensure good drainage in your chosen planting spot to prevent problems with fungus and rot. Contact us for more specialized pest control methods such as beneficial nematodes. 

Harvest
It can take from 90 to 120 days for pumpkins to reach maturity, depending on the variety. Pumpkins are mature when their colour has deepened and their stems harden. Harvest on a dry day and and leave 3-4" of stem on the fruit. Be gentle when moving pumpkins as they may bruise, and never lift them by the stem. Cure your pumpkins for 10 days in a dry, sunny location before storing.