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Do you know today we don’t only have orange pumpkins? We also have rare colors like white, yellow, black futsu, blue-grey, and green striped pumpkins, which are unique and very amazing.
Although pumpkins are grown in long vines of more than 18 feet, approximately 20 feet, some varieties can be grown in small gardens or raised beds.
In this article, I will be explaining how to grow pumpkins in raised beds.
Pumpkins are commonly nurtured on vines. But if you decide to plant your pumpkin in a raised bed, you will need to select an area or spot where vines can move aimlessly from place to place or where the vine can grow irregularly.
Is there enough room for your pumpkin to grow in a raised bed?
As a farmer in a raised bed, it is expected to plant your pumpkin seed near the border or edge of the raised bed, so that you can nurture the vine over the borders, leaving the other part of the bed for other varieties of other plants.
When we have young plants, it is relatively easy to direct the vines to a designated spot. But you might also decide to leave them once they start flourishing. If your raised bed is of medium size, you will need to plant a smaller variety.
If you need an edible pumpkin or a carving pumpkin, search for pie pumpkin, commonly known as sugar pumpkin, which has a predominantly formed growing habit.
How Do I Grow My Pumpkin in a Raised Bed?
- Once you add your soil and compost, add three parts of organic soil, preferably an organic mechanic’s soil.
- Prepare a mound of soil.
- Plant your seed on the prepared mound.
- Water the seed and wait till it germinates.
When Do I Plant My Pumpkin?
When you purchase a pumpkin seed, you will find the number of days it will take before it gets mature. This will help you choose a variety that has less time to grow during the season.
For example, if the type of seed you select needs about 120 days to mature before being harvested, be sure you create time between the average first frost date and the last frost to attend to it.
Just like other plants, pumpkins can survive in a warm environment. Therefore, farmers do not risk planting outside until the water is suitable for the seed to be planted.
Pumpkin seeds flourish and germinate very fast when they are properly planted.
Be Ready for Beetles and Borers
When we talk about pests in a pumpkin-raised bed, the most common pest is cucumber beetles.
To avoid all these pests, you need to transplant young seedlings because they cannot thrive with pests. They hate competition or anything that will disturb their growth.
Most farmers avoid pest attacks by covering the plant with garden fabric during the planting period. The seed germination process takes about 2-4 weeks.
Once the plant begins to flourish, the garden fabric needs to be removed immediately so that the plant will have the chance to blossom.
Be cautious of telltale frass, which signifies the presence of borers in your plant. Once a bore’s attack becomes so significant and disturbing, you can use a cutter box to remove all of them.
Powdery mildew can not be left out when talking about pests affecting pumpkins. It affects the growth of pumpkins, especially in a wet and humid environment.
As farmers, we must be strategic by choosing a variety of pumpkin that resists mildew.
For a small sugar pumpkin, it takes about three months before it matures. If you want them to be harvested on time, plant them in mid-July.
Always mulch your raised bed because doing this will keep your plants hydrated and pest free. Remember, pumpkins are heavy feeders, so as a gardener, you ought to use a round-purpose fertilizer that can provide essential food for your plants.
Always test your soil every 2 years. This will keep you apprised of the type of soil you are dealing with, the nutrient level, and the soil pH.
Conclusion
It is advisable to harvest your pumpkin before frost so you can enjoy the full benefits.
Because of the fast growth of pumpkins, you will have to water them properly. Don’t be so quick to harvest your pumpkin.
If your pumpkin is still yellow, wait till the color changes to bright orange before harvesting it. I believe I have been able to teach you how to grow pumpkins in a raised bed.
Reference
- Growing Giant Pumpkins in the Home Garden
- Production Practices of Pumpkins for Improved Productivity
- Response of Pumpkin to Different Concentrations and Forms of Selenium and Iodine, and their Combinations
