Growing Pumpkins?

[HE>I]

Been trying to grow pumpkins (jack-o-lantern types) for the grandkids for a couple years with limited success. Any tips (direct sow vs pre-start etc.) are welcome, know there are some good growers on the forum. Have a mostly clay soil up here.

 

[hickslawns]

Paging @Ohiosam

 

[Bankfish]

I put mine in mounds, 3-4 seeds per mound, 8'-10' apart. Mounds are 8"-10" high.

 

[CJD3]

Ya. Sam knows pumpkins.

 

[Ohiosam]

Go to Holmes seed website. Pick varieties with powdery mildew tolerance. I can personally recommend Superior and Summit.
Plant around the first week of June.
Fertilize with something like 12-12-12 @ 10-15 lbs per 1000 sq ft. Spread around the whole patch, not all close to the hill. You can put 1/2-2/3 at planting and the rest when the vines start to run.
Plant in hills, 3-4 seeds 5-6 feet apart.
Mulch is good.
Spray with something like sevin to control bugs starting about a week after emerging. Watch for aphids, malathion will control them.
Fungicides are tougher in a home garden. Copper and sulphur fungicides are probably your best bet.
If you water avoid wetting leaves, lay the hose on the ground to soak the soil, not the leaves.