Fantastic autumn and winter vegetable that is easy to grow (Pumpkins)

Member Name: ecolojo

Product:	Pumpkins
Date:	27/10/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Prolific, easy to store and delicious

Disadvantages: Needs quite a bit of space and watering

Growing Pumpkins
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Pumpkins are a great crop for novice and experienced gardeners alike. With careful choice of variety the crop is prolific, delicious, and, easy to store.

+++ What Pumpkin Plants need to thrive +++

1) Water - plenty of it.
2) Muck or compost.
3) Space to spread out

+++ Planting Pumpkins out +++

1) Dig a good sized hole and fill it with well rotted compost or equally well rotted strawy manure. If using compost a handful or two of chicken manure pellets would be welcomed by your plant too.
2) Plant a pumpkin plant into the organic matter in the hole. The compost or manure will not only provide much needed nutrients, it will also help to retain water.
3) Firm the roots well in with the heel of a boot, and water well.

Beware slugs! Take steps to control them using your favourite method. Water regularly and copiously in dry periods.

+++ Harvesting and Storing Pumpkins +++

Harvest pumpkins before the first frost, i.e. if you are worried there is going to be one, pick them! Ideally the stems will have dried and the skins hardened in the late summer/early autumn sun.

Store pumpkins in netting hammocks (old potato and onion bags suspended with string are ideal) in an unheated room in a heated house.

They should keep at least until Christmas, and if you are lucky, even longer.

Summary: Well worth the effort