Planting in the Pumpkin Patch

June 24, 2017

This year’s pumpkin patch is planted.

As you may know, pumpkins grow on vines, which means they take up a lot of space. I always plant my pumpkin patch in a roomy bed that can accommodate a large crop of big, colorful fruits. Last year, we created a space next to the chicken coops and the vegetable gardens - the perfect spot for our expansive patch. And just last week, we planted lots and lots of seeds - more than 70-varieties of pumpkins, squashes and gourds. Some of the varieties should be ready to harvest in 75 to 100 days.

Enjoy these photos.

: Wilmer put down mounds of good aged manure. I am fortunate to be able to make such nutrient-rich compost right here on the farm.

: The soil must be thoroughly warmed to at least 70-degrees Fahrenheit – pumpkins are very sensitive to the cold.

: To make the rows look tidy, Wilmer uses his feet to measure equal amounts of space between all the mounds. Each mound should be at least six to eight feet from the next on all sides.

: Wilmer measures each mound carefully.

: And then puts down a couple shovels full of soil.

: Pumpkins are planted in “hills” to allow the soil to warm more quickly, while encouraging the seeds to germinate faster.

: These round hills are the perfect size for planting the pumpkin seeds.

: Once all the hills are done, flakes of salt hay are spread out all around the bed. Do you know the difference between hay and straw? Hay refers to grass that has been cut while green, dried, and made into bales. When hay decomposes it adds nutrients to the soil to increase fertility. Straw is the stalk of a cereal crop such as oats, barley, wheat, or rye after harvesting has removed the seed heads. Always use salt hay, not feed hay, for your gardens.

: Meanwhile, Ryan prepares all the seeds for the new pumpkin patch. This year, the majority of our seeds are from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Whenever I can, I also like to use seeds I’ve saved from interesting or tasty pumpkins I’ve enjoyed. https://www.johnnyseeds.com

: Ryan starts placing packets on the mounds of soil. Hay mulch enhances the look of the garden, avoids muddiness in the paths, keeps the pumpkins off the earth, and most importantly, enriches the soil.

: Each mound will be a separate pumpkin variety. These small hills are now ready for planting.

: As Ryan plants the seeds, he makes individual markers, so the pumpkins can be identified during the growing process.

: Pumpkins do best when the seeds are planted directly into the ground. Pumpkins prefer rich soil that is well-drained and not soggy.

: Check your seeds – be sure they are not hollow, or old – they should be firm and evenly colored without blotches or discolored patches that could indicate disease. Choose seeds that have also been air dried instead of oven dried, which could remove too much of the seed’s natural moisture.

: Plant about five seeds per hill, with each about an inch to an inch and a half deep into the mound.

: Seed orientation makes no difference to germination or growth. The important thing is to keep them consistently moist. Pumpkins are 80 to 90-percent water depending on the variety, and adequate moisture is crucial for healthy, productive plants.

: Ryan gently pushes each seed down into the mound.

: Pumpkin seeds should sprout within seven to 10-days from planting.

: We always choose a large variety of seeds. For this year’s crop, some of them include Galeux d’Eysines – a unique heirloom with a flattened-globe shape and salmon-pink skin. Galeux d’Eysines is an ornamental pumpkin with a lot of character but also lends good flavor to soups and stews.

: Sunlight is a true yellow pumpkin as its name suggests. These four to six pound yellow pumpkins are great on display.

: Kakai is an eye-catching, medium to small, black-striped pumpkin. After displaying the pumpkins in the fall, scoop out the large, dark-green, hull-less seeds, which are delicious roasted. The seeds also yield savory oil.

: Spark pumpkins have a flattened shape, wide moderate ribs, and yellow-orange skin with deep orange stripes.

: Moonshine is a wonderful small-medium, white pumpkin. It’s very uniform, smooth-skinned and perfect for decorating or carving.

: Rival is blocky and beautiful. This variety is a round, medium-sized jack-o’-lantern type with intermediate resistance to powdery mildew.

: Porcelain Doll is a popular favorite. It is a pink pumpkin and the sweet flesh can be used for pies, soups, and other gourmet delights. Full vines bear blocky, deeply ribbed fruit averaging 16-24 pounds.

: Big Moose are giant pumpkins with bright color – orange-red with some lighter streaking and light ribbing. Great for eye-catching displays on the front porch.

: Darling is a unique upright pumpkin ideal for painting. It is very uniform, with an elongated fruit shape and stocky handles. The skin is smooth, lightly ribbed, and a vibrant medium-orange color.

: Speckled Hound is orange with green splotches. It has yellow-orange, thick, dense flesh with dry matter and an oblate shape with shallow ribbing.

: And Valenciano has snow-white skin. Clearly the whitest pumpkin; unique for doorstep decorations and painting. These are slightly ribbed, with a smooth white skin.