Pumpkins take a lot of space, but many gardeners plant one or two clumps, or hills, of them for fall decoration and pies. Some save space by sowing a few seeds in a row of corn, combining two plants in the same area. Others train the vines to grow on supports. Still others plant bush pumpkins, only 3 feet across.
Each block should weigh 1 to 2 ounces and contain one to three eyes. Spread the pieces out in a single layer in a well- ventilated and well-lighted place for four or five days before planting. To minimize loss from rot, dust the pieces with captan.
Pumpkins are unusual among vegetables in that they grow well in light shade as well as in full sunshine. They do best in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Sow seeds outdoors when night temperatures are expected to stay above 55 for about four months. For vine and bush varieties, prepare hills by digging holes 1 foot deep and 2 feet across; space the holes for vine types 8 to 10 feet apart, for bush types 4 feet apart.
Put into each hole a bushel of compost or well-rotted cow manure, then return the soil, forming a mound about 4 inches high. Plant four to six seeds 1 inch deep in a circle on top of each hill. When seedlings appear, cut off all but one or two of the strongest plants.
From late summer on, remove any blossoms or new fruit to channel the plants’ energies toward the fruit that have already formed. For a huge exhibition pumpkin, allow one fruit to develop on each vine, and water heavily. To train vine varieties to grow upward, follow the directions on page 30. To grow pumpkins with corn, sow single seeds every 10 feet or so in the rows of corn.
Harvest pumpkins when leaves die and the fruit become a rich orange, about four months after sowing. Cut pumpkins from the vine with pruning shears, leaving about 3 inches of stem on the fruit; pumpkins decay quickly if the stems are broken rather than cut. After harvesting, set pumpkins in the sun for a week or two to harden the outer skins, then store them in a cool dry place.
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