Growing Pumpkins from Seed

Dreaming of growing pumpkins in your backyard garden? It's easier than you might think! Find out how to grow pumpkins and exactly when to plant pumpkins for the perfect harvest!

A few years ago we planted pumpkin seeds (among other things) in a test patch of the Back to Eden garden method. We prepped our beds and threw a bunch of seeds out to see what would grow.

We didn't even try to make it a successful garden, we wanted to see just how hands off the method really was. Much to our surprise, we yielded over 300 pounds of produce without even trying AT ALL!

One of the things we tossed out were heirloom pumpkin seeds. When the plants started coming up I was so excited about the idea of homegrown pumpkins for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

Little did I know we had planted too late for that and didn't end up harvesting the pumpkins until the week after Thanksgiving. It was quite a bummer, I can tell you that!

So let me save you a little heartache and help you with exactly when to plant pumpkins for a perfect fall harvest.

>> These are our favorite heirloom pumpkin seeds!

When to Plant Pumpkins

You probably see a lot of different information regarding zones and when to plant various things... but the bottom line is that pumpkins need 100 days to mature.

I like to err on the side of caution and plant 120 day before I want to harvest.

For a Halloween Harvest:

You need to plant by the end of June, middle of July at the latest, if you want to carve homegrown pumpkins this year. You can start the seeds inside if it's too hot where you are, but get them started by the end of June.

For a Thanksgiving Harvest:

You need to plant pumpkins by the second week in July, first week of August for a Thanksgiving harvest. Again, you can start the seeds inside if you need to!

If Your First Frost is Before Halloween

I know some places in the country see frost before Halloween... being a South Texas gal, I can't imagine that, but I know it's true!

If this is the case for you, make sure your 120 days to maturity is up before the first frost. Then simply cure and store them for the holidays.

How to Grow Pumpkins

You can grow pumpkins from seed, or from seedlings started indoors before the planting season and sowed into the ground.

While you can transplant pumpkin seedlings, pumpkins plants do best when they planted directly in the ground. Be sure to wait until the plant soil is 70° or more before sowing seeds.

When choosing an area in which to plant your pumpkins, here are some qualities to look for in the perfect pumpkin growing area!

• 6-8 hours of sunlight per day

• Some shelter from the wind (a windy area means less bees for pollination) 

• Consistent water availability (don't plant far from a water source if you will need to water them manually)

Once you've identified you're perfect growing area, plant the pumpkin seeds about 2 inches deep into the soil, cover, and gently water in. You don't want to flood the ground but make sure it stays damp for the first week or until the plant sprouts.

>> These are our favorite heirloom pumpkin seeds!

Growing Pumpkins FAQ

My pumpkins aren't setting fruit even though they have flowers?

This problem is common when growing pumpkins and can have many reasons. Such as a lack of sun, water, or bees to pollinate. You may also have too much nitrogen in the soil,.

However, it is likely that when addressing the first few you will be able to salvage the fruit!

To fix a pumpkin plant that isn't setting fruit even though it is growing flowers, make sure that it's getting enough sun and water. Once you do that, you may need to hand pollinate the flowers.

Pumpkins have a male and female flower, so you'll take pollen from the male with a cotton swab or small paintbrush and gently transfer it into the female blossom.

Male blossoms grow directly off of the vine, whereas female pumpkin blossoms have a little bulb like fruit swelling at their base.

Harvesting and Curing Pumpkins for Storage

You'll know the pumpkins are ripe when they have fully changed colors and you are unable to pierce their flesh with a fingernail.

Once they are harvested, you can cure pumpkins by setting them in a warm, dry location for 1-2 weeks before storing. This will allow you to still have homegrown pumpkins for all the right holidays, even if there is frost on the ground!

Best Pumpkin Variety for Carving and Pie

If you're like me, you like the idea of a plant that multitasks! This Connecticut Field Pumpkin is an heirloom pumpkin variety that can be dated back to the first New England settlers as well as the Native Americans; it's a true American pumpkin!

Not only is it just a cool variety of heirloom pumpkin, but it also gets large enough for carving, but can still be used as a pie pumpkin!

RELATED: Best Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

BONUS: What can I do with the leftover pumpkin seeds and guts after I use the meat?

Wondering what to do with all those pumpkin seeds and pulp? There are a few options!

1. Roast the seeds and eat them yourself. I use the same instructions for roasting zucchini seeds for roasting pumpkin seeds. After you've harvested the seeds, give the rest of the guts to the chickens.

2. Dry the seeds and give a handful every few days, or once a week, to the chickens. They are anti-parasitic and loved by chickens! (Still give the chickens the guts fresh!)

More Gardening Posts:

The Seasonal Guide to Growing Spinach

Growing Zucchini

Growing Sunflowers for Seed

How to Start Seeds Indoors