Pumpkin, Jack O lantern
Pumpkin, Jack O Lantern
Heirloom. Organic. Pumpkins like a sunny, well-drained position. They will tolerate a wide range of soil types, but a moderately fertile soil is best. Sow seed directly into the garden or start in seed pots (peat pots). In warm areas sow from spring to early autumn, but in cold areas sow in spring only. Don't over-fertilize - too much nitrogen will produce lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Seeds germinate in 2-3 weeks, and plants start to flower in 10-12 weeks from sowing.
Planting Jack O Lantern Pumpkins While starting seeds of the Pumpkin is not necessarily difficult. Sow Pumpkin seeds directly in the ground in the spring when the threat of frost has passed. Keep the ground moist but not wet for the first couple of weeks. When the seedlings stand about 3 inches tall, thin them out to at least 10 to 12 inches apart. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot for planting for the best performance. Pumpkins will tolerate some shade, but they prefer direct sun light. Pumpkins like regular weekly waterings. They will survive some drought conditions, but flowering will diminish and the foliage can begin to look ratty. Most gardeners plant pumpkin seeds in small hills or elevated rows.
Height: 18-24”" inches Spacing: 12-18" inches
Pumpkin Vines can Grow up to 30 feet long so give the pumpkins room to grow. Depth: 1-2 inch Germination: 10-14 days Starting from Seed Indoors
Pumpkins will transplant easily and can be grown in peat pots (where you plant the pot with the roots). Place a few seeds (2 to 3) into each pot and push them into the soil with your finger. Cover the seeds to a depth of approximately 1- 2 inches of the potting mix. Mist each pot with water until the soil appears moist. Place the pots in an area which will provide both light (which is required for germination) and heat, preferably about 65 to 70 degrees F and at least 8 hours of light each day. Check on the seeds every day and keep the seeds damp but not drenched by misting with your plant mister. You should see sprouting in about 10 to 14 days. Once your seedlings have reached about 2 to 3 inches in height, choose an area in your garden to transfer them. Dig holes twice the width and depth of each of your pots. Fill up each hole with water then let it drain off. Place a pot in the hole center and level so that your seedling is at the same level as the surrounding soil. Push dirt in carefully all the way to fill the hole back up. Water each seedling carefully so as not to soak the leaves or stem.
Direct-seeding into the Garden
Turn over the area you've selected to a depth of approximately 5 to 6 inches. Rake the area until it's level and smooth. Water the area until the soil is damp but not saturated. Scatter the seeds in the area. Gently rake the area to distribute the seeds further and protect them from birds. Or, press the seeds into the soil and cover with no more than 1-2 inches of soil. You can also place 2 to 3 seeds every 3 to 4 inches in rows approximately 12 inches apart, and cover seeds with 2 inches of soil. Place planting stakes around the area so you will know where to water. Check on your seeds about once a day. Make sure to mist the soil whenever it appears dry. Germination for Pumpkins is approximately 10 to 14 days, depending on the warmth of the soil. Make sure to maintain the frequency of irrigation, pumpkins grow best with regular watering.
Germination Problems
Growing plants from seeds successfully depends on a lot of factors and this makes it impossible to guarantee success on every batch of seeds planted. Factors include, soil composition, PH, temperature, moisture levels, seed depth, soil density, seed viabilty, seed storage and many others. We tested the germination of all our seeds and this seed variety is around 80%, but your results may vary based on exactly how you plant and all the environmental factors. Good luck.