Growing Pumpkins in Zone 10

Pumpkins are a great plant for new gardeners and children to learn about gardening. They are easy to grow and have few pests; impatient gardeners, slugs and gophers!!! Choose a variety well suited for your planting zone. Find your Zone by entering your zip code at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map here. 

We either save our seeds or use organic pumpkin seeds from  Renee's Garden.

the seeds are still on the sprout!

How To Grow Pumpkins

1. Start pumpkin seeds March through September - Pumpkins don’t tolerate cold well so make sure to plant them after the last frost date in your area. 
2. Plant in a sunny spot.
3. Pumpkins like fertile well draining soil, so loosen the soil and mix in some compost. 
4. Plant in mounds 6-inches high and 4-feet apart. 
5. Space seeds 3-6 feet apart and 1-inch deep. Thin seedlings once they have four leaves.
6. Keep the soil moist.
7. Water every 3 to 5 days at the base. Avoid watering leaves to prevent disease.
8. Protect pumpkins from slugs and rot by carefully placing mulch or a piece of wood underneath.
9. Harvest pumpkins once vine dies and leave a 4 inch stem on each pumpkin to maximize its shelf life.
10. Companion Plants for pumpkins. Plant these crops near pumpkins for optimal pumpkin health. The right companion plant can deter pests, prevent disease, or encourage growth.

• Barley*
• Corn (disease protection)
• Clover* (disease protection)
• Eggplant*
• Melons
• Scallion* (disease protection)
• Squash
• Marigolds (pest deterrent)
• Onion* (disease protection)
• Oregano (pest deterrent)

* Japanese Style Companion Planting

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