How to Grow Pumpkins from Seed

Are you ready to embrace all fall has to offer? Pumpkins are a big part of getting into the fall spirit. Growing them from seed is easier than you might think. This year when you set a date to carve your pumpkins, they can be pumpkins you grew yourself. Now that’s impressive.

First things first, space is needed to grow pumpkins because they grow on long vines. Also keep in mind that pumpkins need a long growing season, so it’s best to give yourself plenty of time to get a head start on growing these fall treasures. Pumpkins will grow the best by planting the seed directly into the ground. Visit our gardening catalog to find pumpkin seeds from any of our verified vendors, and skip your trip to the pumpkin patch this year in favor of using your own pumpkin yield.

Follow these tips to grow the plumpest, healthiest pumpkins on the block!

Gardening with Pumpkins

Choose Your Seeds

Pumpkins are technically considered a winter squash, and there are many different types of seed varieties to choose from. These different varieties differ in size, texture, shape and color. Before you do anything else, choose the type of pumpkin seeds you want to plant and harvest.

Check ‘Days to Maturity’

Pumpkins usually take about 3 months to mature, but it will depend on the seed you choose. Ask the garden nursery experts from our garden catalog about days to maturity in order to figure out when you should plant your pumpkin seeds so that you have them in time for next fall.

Direct Sun

Now that you’re all set on the type of pumpkin you want to grow and know how long they will take to mature, it’s time to get serious about your harvest. Pumpkins do best when their seeds are planted in direct sunlight, but they can also grow in partial shade.

Three to Five Feet Apart

Pumpkin vines will sprawl out, so leave plenty of room in between seeds for this to happen. Approximately 3-5 feet apart should suffice, but again, check with the garden nursery experts about how much room the pumpkin variety you choose needs to spread out.

Fertilize and Water

Pumpkins are heavy feeders and need well-drained, rich soil to grow their best. A basic, all-purpose fertilizer can be used to fertilize your pumpkin seeds. Use a small amount to start to see how you need to adjust going forward and don’t forget to deeply water the soil about once a week.

Find & compare the world’s best garden suppliers for pumpkin seeds to use for your fall garden. Garden Savvy is the gardening catalog of catalogs. Search our gardening database now!