Gardeners’ Forum: “First Time Pumkins!!!”
Back to Gardeners’ ForumFirst Time Pumkins!!!
Posted by Peter James on Monday, March 26, 2001 7:10 pm ASTOk This is well actually my second time growing Pumkins..I want to actually succeed this time.. Last year I got to the flowers then the frost came..We live in the high north, labrador and only have App. 3 months of growth..this year I ordered happy face seeds what do you think my succeess will be and what am I doing wrong..the soils I was using was wery fertile and near to a stream constantly damp and partly shaded..any help would be appreciated.. Peter
re: First Time Pumkins!!!
Posted by Howard Harvey on Friday, April 6, 2001 6:49 pm ADTI don't think your growing season is long enough for starting seeds outdoors in the ground. I would start indoors 4 -5 weeks before you intend to put them in the ground. A tip I picked up from a green house keeper was that squash and pumpkins ( same family ) may have to be fertilized by hand to get a good crop. It means taking a male flower and rubbing it into a female flower to cause the pumpkin to form well. You can tell the difference by the little pumpkin forming at the base tip of the female flower. The male flowers are only good to eat -- apart from being the fertilizer!! Try to find the shortest season pumpkin seed available.
re: First Time Pumkins!!!
Posted by Judy Nolan on Tuesday, April 24, 2001 10:07 am ADTI have grown pumpkins successfully for the past two years in much the same conditions as you. I have grown Spirit,Jack O'lantern,and Rocket. I start mine inside about three weeks before the last frost date, which is usually around June 14, and then transplanting them outside.
