Planting in a New Pumpkin Patch
This year’s pumpkin patch at my Bedford, New York farm is now planted.
Pumpkins grow on vines, which means they take up a lot of space. I always plant my pumpkin patch in a roomy bed that can accommodate a large crop of big, colorful fruits. This year, I decided to plant them in one of the lower hayfields, in a corner that had long been used for storing smaller piles of composted manure and leaf mold for the gardens. My head gardener, Ryan McCallister, planted dozens of pumpkin varieties - many from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, a source I’ve used for years. These pumpkins should be ready to harvest in 75 to 100 days, and I can’t wait.
There is still time to get your seeds in the ground - I hope these photos offer some gardening inspiration, enjoy.
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- I am constantly looking for better ways to use my farm. Recently, I decided to clean up this area and move the compost piles to the location where all our biodegradable is stored. This space was then designated for growing pumpkins because it has plenty of room and gets lots of sun. We leveled the area with some of the composted manure and leaf mold that was already here and prepared it for planting.
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- The new patch is in one of the lower hayfields across from my long grove of weeping willows. The patch is also next to the carriage road, where it can be accessed easily for watering.
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- Ryan prepared all the pumpkin seeds for planting. I like to grow a lot of pumpkins every year – some are best for use in cooking and some are ornamental and look great sitting on a stone wall in autumn.
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- Ryan labels the wooden markers at the site. We mark everything, so plants are easy to identify as they grow. Pumpkins are very tender. The seeds do not germinate in cold soil, and the seedlings are injured by frost. Always plant pumpkin seeds after the soil has thoroughly warmed.
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- Ryan places markers where the seeds will go. Ryan decides where each variety will be planted based on their size when fully grown – some pumpkins can weigh hundreds of pounds each.
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- A pumpkin seed, also known in North America as a pepita, is the edible seed of a pumpkin or certain other cultivars of squash. The seeds are typically flat and asymmetrically oval, with a white outer husk.
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- Pumpkins do best when the seeds are planted directly into the ground. They prefer rich soil that is well-drained and not soggy. This area is full of nutrients – they will grow so well here.
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- Ryan plants about five or six seeds in each spot, with each seed about an inch to an inch and a half deep into the soil. Many pumpkin seeds are planted in mounds or small hills to allow the soil to warm more quickly, but this area, with all the composted material, is already raised and will work perfectly.
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- These seeds are treated and colored. In agriculture and horticulture, seed treatment is also known as seed dressing. They are coated with an antimicrobial. The added color makes the seeds less attractive to birds and easier to see in case of accidental spillage.
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- Most of our seeds are not treated, and some, like these, are hull-less. Before dropping the seeds, Ryan checks that they are in good condition – they should be firm and evenly colored without blotches or discolored patches that could indicate disease. Choose seeds that have also been air dried instead of oven-dried, which could remove too much of the seed’s natural moisture.
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- Among the many varieties planted this season is ‘Cargo’ – a robust hybrid fruit with strong handles and beautiful rich orange color. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- This one is called ‘Howden’. It was developed by John Howden of Massachusetts in the early 1970s. It defined “the look” in big Halloween pumpkins—deep orange color, defined ribs, and good handles. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Wolf’ pumpkins have massive handles and can weigh up to 24-pounds. They are distinctive, round pumpkins with a deep orange color and moderate ribs. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- This variety is known as ‘Rouge vif d’Etampes’ in France. “Rouge vif” means “vivid red.” This is an attractive pumpkin – flat, almost like a red cheese wheel. The fruits average 10 to 15 pounds each and the moderately sweet, orange flesh is great for pies. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Kakai’ is an eye-catching, medium to small, black-striped pumpkin. After displaying the pumpkins in the fall, it’s nice to scoop out the large, dark-green, hull-less seeds – they’re delicious roasted. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Speckled Hound’ is orange with green splotches. It has yellow-orange, thick, dense flesh with dry matter and an oblate shape with shallow ribbing. I love these more unique pumpkins. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Long Island Cheese” is medium-large and flattened. It has smooth, tan skin, a slender woody stem, and deep orange, moderately sweet flesh. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Porcelain Doll’ is a popular favorite. It is a pink pumpkin with sweet flesh that can be used for pies, soups, and other gourmet delights. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- We also planted several ‘Snowball’ pumpkins, These are attractive, smooth-rind, small, round fruits. They are also bright white with dark green stems. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Valenciano’ has snow-white skin – it is among the whitest of pumpkins. It makes a unique doorstep decoration. ‘Valenciano’ pumpkins are slightly ribbed, medium-sized and flatter in appearance. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- Here is a relatively new variety – ‘Mellow Yellow’. It is uniform in shape and size, blocky-round, and weighs up to 22-pounds when mature. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- And the wartier, the better. This is ‘Marina Di Chioggia’ – a large turban-shaped fruit in deep blue-green. It is one of the most beautiful and unique of all squash. The rich, sweet flesh is a deep yellow-orange. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- ‘Galeux d’Eysines’ is a unique heirloom with a flattened-globe shape and salmon-pink skin. ‘Galeux d’Eysines’ is an ornamental pumpkin with a lot of character but also lends good flavor to soups and stews. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- And this colorful pumpkin is called ‘Turk’s Turban’ – a buttercup-shaped fall display pumpkin. It has a prominent blossom end button that is striped silver, green, and white with a scarlet top that measures seven to nine inches across. (Photo from Johnny’s Selected Seeds)
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- I also use seeds that I pick up during my travels. I brought these seeds back from Paris. They’re made by Vilmorin, a French seed producer. https://www.vilmorinmikado.com/
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- I brought these seeds back from one of my trips to Asia. I also love to use seeds I’ve saved from interesting or tasty pumpkins I enjoyed in past seasons.
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- Ryan continues to plant pumpkin seeds until the entire space is filled.
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- Seed orientation makes no difference to germination or growth. The important thing is to keep them consistently moist. Pumpkins are 80 to 90-percent water depending on the variety, and adequate moisture is crucial for healthy, productive plants.
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- Here he is pushing another seed down into the soil and compost. Pumpkin seeds should sprout within seven to 10-days from planting.
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- The field is all planted. Come October, this patch will be full of colorful and unique pumpkins. I’ll be sure to share more photos as they develop.
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