This Year's Pumpkin Patch

August 19, 2024

My pumpkin patch is looking great this season!

In early summer, my gardeners and I plant lots and lots of pumpkin seeds - many from our favorite seed companies, and some from interesting and tasty fruits I’ve enjoyed over the years. Pumpkins grow on vines, which means they take up a lot of space. I always plant my pumpkin patch in a roomy area that can accommodate a large crop of big, colorful specimens. This year, I decided to grow my pumpkins and winter squash in my vegetable garden. Most varieties take between 90 and to 120 days to grow. We still have a few weeks to wait, but everything is growing so nicely.

Enjoy these photos.

: I decided to plant this year’s pumpkins in a new and interesting place – in front of my hornbeam hedge all around the inside of my vegetable garden. This photo was taken in July before the plants had really started to vine. I instructed my outdoor grounds crew to put down a strip of weed cloth to keep the vines and fruit from touching the grass and soil.

: From one gate to the other on one side, I planted pumpkins. On the other side I planted winter squash. Pumpkins and winter squash are both edible fruits from the Cucurbita species. Pumpkins are a type of winter squash that are generally round with thick skin and sweet meat.

: Once planted, everything started to develop so quickly. Pumpkins and winter squashes prefer fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny location – this vegetable garden is a great place where the plants can be well tended.

: Pumpkin and winter squash leaves can look very similar – large, lobed leaves that grow on hollow stems. They are roundish in shape, and often have serrated edges, and are typically dark green in color, but may be light or grey-green, depending on the variety.

: Leaves can also be marked.

: Here is the patch now. It has grown quite a bit – one can hardly see the black weed cloth because of all the growing vines. It is still too early to harvest, but everything looks great.

: It will be time to harvest when the vines and leaves wither and die back – these need at least eight or nine more weeks.

: The large leaves cover most of the cucurbits as they form, so it is hard to see the beauties underneath.

: But under the leaves, there is lots of evidence of growth.

: Pumpkins and winter squash are good sources of nutrition. They are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. Plus, they are loaded with vitamins A and B and potassium.

: These pumpkin vines are already finding their way through the fence. Every plant seems to be healthy and robust.

: Right now, there are lots of growing winter squash in different shapes, colors and sizes.

: Winter squashes have thick, tough shells that protect the sweet, rich tasting flesh inside. Always pick winter squash that’s heavy for its size. The stem should also be intact, firm and dry. These will be so delicious when they’re ready.

: I get seeds from various seed companies, but I also save seeds from specimens I’ve enjoyed over the years.

: Here is another young and small winter squash in bright yellow.

: Squash has been grown in North America for 5000 years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere, but today are grown all over the world – except Antarctica.

: Tough skinned winter squash can last several months in storage as long as the fruits are protected from cuts, scrapes and dents, and are kept in a cool, dry room with good air circulation.

: Pumpkin vines can grow as much as six feet per day and can get as long as 30 feet. On each vine are green tendrils that help to anchor the vine and protect it from the wind. Squash stems are also thick, but much lighter and softer.

: Pumpkin flowers are large orange or yellow-colored blooms that grow on the long vines and produce pumpkins. Both pumpkin and squash blossoms can be eaten and have a mild, sweet flavor.