I'm trying ot figure out when to plant my Pumpkins. The package says 100 days, which, if I need them for Halloween, means planting July 18th, or thereabouts. The last attempt gave me Pumpkins in August, and while one "held" for many months (we dubbed it the Perpetual Pumpkin) I'd rather not push it that far during summer heat.
That would be if the 100 days is from planting.
I don't want to miss my favorite Holiday by too late maturation, either, so maybe plant late June or the begining of July?
Pumpkin timing?
i have the same dilemma and am planting my pumpkins in june. yes the "days to harvest" counts from planting - i have white skinned, normal orange skinned, and really cool blue-gray which are way cool for freaky factor! also you have to consider when you're going to frost, because once you frost the plant dies and whatever pumpkins you have is what you have. do you have to worry about frost in sc? i expect to frost in early october at the absolute latest. sometimes it's before the end of september, which is really frustrating. if i get a good pumpkin and it's too early, i cut it when it looks really good and put it in a cool shady spot to wait. have not had a problem keeping pumpkins for about a month if necessary as long as they weren't bruised or cut. don't know if it's too hot or humid for you to be able to do that.
Thanks for the input:). Yes, we get frost, but it's (USUALLY) late. I qualify that because after the last 3 winters I refuse to speculate on what will happen anymore. While the lifetime residents consider this part of SC to be horribly hot and humid, for me (coming off 30 years in S Florida) it's not that bad *G*. The one pumpkin did last seemingly forever, so there is hope:)
I just had this same conversation with someone else. My first batch of Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkins got drowned so I've ordered some more seeds. I got the French "rouge" Cinderella pumpkin (can't remember the exact name but I've seen them and they're pretty) and also the blue/greenish one. And the Giant. I wasn't so much aiming for Halloween although it is my absolute favorite holiday. I just wanted to see if I could grow a giant pumpkin. I have also been told to plant in mid June or so for Halloween pumpkins. I won't get my first frost until December at the earliest (most likely). In the past, pumpkins that I bought for Halloween lasted through Christmas. I always spray paint them pale blue and white for Christmas and glitter them. They make a pretty winter decoration. As long as you don't cut into them and they don't freeze, they seem to last a long time.
Here it is recommended to plant about June 15th for Halloween. DTM is of course approximate and counting starts from either germination date if direct seeded or transplant date.
Hope you get the timing right! If you have the space, since they need lots of room, I would plant several at different times, starting mid-June through early July. If no space, I would gamble on mid-June as a planting date if you are direct seeding. Good luck!
Oh, I have room ! Just this morning I decided to do just what you suggested. Where my broccoli is coming outwill be a new Pumpkin Patch. It's adjacent to the Melon Meander, and they both will have space to sprawl outside the chicken fence.
I have lots of seeds.....:)
Awesome! Your very own pumpkin patch Charlie Brown - lol... Keep us posted on the great pumpkin's progress!
Will Do :).
Anyone know how to attract The Great Pumpkin??
Build it and he will come...
Then I'm well on my way...
Wonder if there are any other entities I should be looking for....
I don't know... The great pumpkin sounds like a pretty "safe" bet... Your other entities (think "the headless horseman") not so much - lol...
Ah, but the Headless Horseman is an old friend:). I grew up in the area he is known to frequent, and I once did a painting of him.
I will build it, and we'll see what comes....
LOL - be sure and let us know who frequents your fields!
SVB will be the only thing that comes to visit my area.
Nevertheless, I planted a couple of pumpkins about 2 weeks ago (they were transplants, maybe 9" tall) and I will be starting more from seed this evening when I get home. I *will* have a pumpkin patch this year for the kiddies. Preferably homegrown, but I will stash my backyard with store-bought pumpkins if I have to!!!