Planted pumpkins this year, first time ever.

[Henicillin]

I'm a member of the Failed Pumpkin Growers Club. We got a whopping two pumpkins from five plants last year. The vines grow well, and we give them all the recommended care, but they refuse to set fruit. DH is ever-hopeful, and actually planted seeds for giant pumpkins this year as well as for a couple other varieties. The plants are growing like mad, but somehow I don't think we'll be getting a world-record setter any time soon.

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

I am trying some butternut pumpkins this year...got them started in pots. so far so good.

 

[Peaches Lee]

We have found that pumpkins really love horse manure, so if you could find some of that, amend it into your soil. We grow in straight horse manure. If you want to grow an absolutely HUGE pumpkin, choose the best fruit on the vine and pluck off all the others--that way ALL of the growing goes into that one. I think that the fruit per vine number depends on soil nutrients, but you can look for 5 fruits per plant as kind of a guide. Pumpkins also cross pollinate very easily with zucchini, melons and cucumbers (being of the same family and all) so we don't grow those things. Good luck, hope they grow for you!

Here's our harvest from last Fall, this is what we had left, there was a lot more we sold by the road.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Yes, thats what we do also ....all our city slicker friends have collected pumpkin/squash after Halloween /thanksgiving time and throw them in our horse manure pile . The kids get enjoyment out of this ....Usually hubby has a pile set aside just for this . and the next spring the pile is covered in vines .Alot of pumpkins/squash to harvest ...thats when our city slicker friends come back to get there pumpkins for Halloween and thanksgiving ...and I also buy different kind of pumpkins seeds to pop in the manure come spring .

 

[pdsavage]

I grew my first ones last year,they grew over the burn pile.They did realy well since that spot was where my old chicken coop had been before a tree fell on it.
Anyway I have seeds from those pumpkins planted and growing like crazy,there was spaghetti squash growing among them so might get some weird hybrids.

 

[ebwy2]

I have a confession - I've never eaten pumpkin. is it savoury or sweet? do you eat it as part of your main course or is it desert?
I was going to try to grow some but then I realised that I was clueless!

 

[pdsavage]

I used mine to make pumpkin pie,but I know that you can use pumpkin in soups and other stuff.

Pumpkin Recipes

http://www.pumpkinrecipes.org/

 

[Peaches Lee]

Quote:
Pumpkin is delicious! Certain types can range from sweet and nutty, to almost a sweet potato taste and thickness. Some are smooth and creamy almost a velvety texture, others can be more fiberous. Pumpkin can be prepared in dishes that are both sweet or savory. It's definitely not just for dessert!

Pumpkin bread, soup and casseroles! Or just eat it plain with some butter. Some of my favorite varieties are Galuex d'Eysines and Australian Butter. Look for heirloom variety pumpkins to experience different tastes and textures.

 

[maclady]

I am trying to grow pumpkins this year. First time since I was a kid and lived in Michigan and I'm in North Carolina now. I am fighting with fire ants and stink bugs for the vines. I have benn picking off the stinkbugs and squishing them. I am trying De for the ants and sevin dust. Can't use much of the other stuff cause I have 4 girls back near the garden area and 2 dogs that use the yard and I don't want them getting sick from pesticides. I also spray water on the started hills and mess them up any chance I get cause they hate that. Any other ideas to help them grow or fight the insects? I want the pumpkins for my family & our chickens.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Well, the results are in. These are Jack O' Lantern and Sugar Baby Pie pumpkins, we've already eaten about a dozen of them: