Organic Pumpkin Seeds – Growing Guide

Key Features

• Height:
  ✔ 1-2 feet for smaller pumpkin varieties
  ✔ Up to 3 feet for larger varieties
• Light: Full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily)
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5
• Uses:
  ✔ Culinary: Perfect for pies, soups, roasting, and baking
  ✔ Decorative: Ideal for fall displays and Halloween carving

Product Details

• Germination Rate: High, ensuring reliable sprouting
• Seed Freshness: Fresh, organically sourced seeds for optimal growth
• Shelf Life: Best planted within 1 year for maximum germination

Planting Instructions

Sowing & Germination

✔ Outdoor Planting (Direct Sowing – Recommended for Best Growth):

• Timing: Sow directly outdoors after the last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C).
• Depth: Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
• Spacing:
  • Smaller pumpkins: 2-3 feet apart in rows.
  • Larger varieties: 3-5 feet apart with rows spaced 6-10 feet apart.
• Mounds (Hills Method):
  • Create mounds 3-4 feet apart, planting 3-5 seeds per hill.
  • Thin to the strongest 1-2 seedlings per hill after germination.

✔ Indoor Starting (Optional for Early Growth):

• Start 2-3 weeks before the last frost.
• Use biodegradable pots (to prevent transplant shock).
• Transplant outdoors after the last frost, when plants have several true leaves.

✔ Germination Tips:

• Maintain consistent moisture in the soil.
• Germination time: 5-10 days under optimal conditions.
• Keep soil warm (70-90°F / 21-32°C) for faster germination.

Care & Maintenance

✔ Watering:

• Provide 1-2 inches of water per week, ensuring deep watering to support root growth.
• Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of mildew.

✔ Mulching:

• Apply straw, compost, or grass clippings around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

✔ Support for Larger Varieties:

• Use trellises for vining types to save space.
• Support growing pumpkins with slings or netting to prevent breakage.

✔ Fertilization:

• Apply a balanced organic fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting.
• Once flowering begins, switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage fruiting.

✔ Pest & Disease Control:

• Watch for pests: Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and vine borers.
• Use row covers early in the season to protect young plants.
• Rotate crops yearly to prevent soilborne diseases.

Harvesting & Storage

✔ When to Harvest:

• Color & Hardness: Pick pumpkins when fully colored and the rind is hard.
• Stem Check: Use sharp pruners or a knife to cut, leaving 2-4 inches of stem attached to prolong storage life.

✔ Storage Tips:

• Curing: Let pumpkins cure in a warm, dry place (80-85°F) for 10-14 days.
• Store in a cool, dry place (50-60°F) for months of use.

Enjoy Your Home-Grown Organic Pumpkins!

With the right care, your pumpkins will be healthy, flavorful, and perfect for cooking or decoration.

Happy Gardening!