Pumpkin
Molly
Planting
Pumpkins are planted during the last week of May and early June. Pumpkins usually like when they are directly planted in to the ground. They also should be planted in full sun. Pumpkins usually take 90-120 frost-free days to grow to regular size.
Things to consider before planting:
- Frost
- Sun
- Water
- Space
- Soil
Harvesting
Pumpkins are harvest during October. They should be orange color when you harvest them.
Located
The top producing states for pumpkin are:
- Illinois - 4.97 million pounds
- California - 1.6 million pounds
- Ohio - 1.33 million pounds
- Pennsylvania - 1.31 million pounds
- Michigan - 854 thousand pounds
Life Cycle of a Pumpkin
Stage 1
Plant the seeds
Stage 2
Seed sprouts
Stage 3
Seed starts to vine
Stage 4
Yellow flowers appear
Stage 5
Green pumpkin
Stage 6
Orange pumpkin and full growth
Important Facts
- Originate from flowers
- Carving them in to jack-o'-lanterns originated hundreds of years ago in Ireland
- You can save their seeds and plant them the next year to grow pumpkins
- They got the name pumpkins by the name "gros melons"
Anatomy of a Pumpkin
Stem
Handle of the pumpkin
Leaves
Absorb the energy from the sun to help it grow
Tendril
Twists around objects on the ground to help anchor the vine from wind
Brains
Also known as its fibrous strands and seeds
Skin
Thin, shiny, outer layer of the pumpkin. Keeps insects and disease out of the pumpkin
Ribs
Ridges on the outside of the pumpkin
Uses
Pumpkins can be used in many things. Uses include:
- Pie
- Oatmeal
- Cupcakes
- Bread
- Smoothies
Pests
Pumpkins can be attacked by many pests. Ways you can stop the pest are chemical, mechanical, and genetically.
Pumpkin Beetle
Holes in the leaves
Cutworms
Damages the young seeds
Melon Thrips
Sucks the surface cells which causes yellowing and bronzing of the affected areas. It can be found on leaves, growing points, and the flowers.