It takes one entire summer, from May until October.

Feeding begins in the Fall of the previous year. Soil testing provides the gardener correct information for applying lime to correct the soil pH way ahead of the spring planting season. It can take three to twelve months for a lime application to cause the desired change in soil pH. You should amend your garden soil with 3"-4" of cow or horse manure. Also any compost such as leaves raked from the yard.

Pumpkin plants are vigorous vines and love to sprawl. A single vine can grow as long as 30 feet, sending out many vine shoots all along the way. Looking down from an airplane, it will appear as a carpet of lush green leaves. Most competitive growers allow between 500 - 800 square feet per plant. Maintaining it on the garden soil is best, however many growers let the plant spread onto the lawn area if needed. Either way you end up with a great pumpkin!

Like any vegetable or flower garden, upkeep is required. Pruning, weeding, watering and pest control are key concerns. But how do you know if your soil is rich enough? If the spot you've chosen for your pumpkin patch has traditionally grown lots of weeds, then it definitely has something to offer. But is it rich enough? The question then becomes: What to add? Compost and aged manure are often recommended. Pumpkins are considered "heavy feeders" and do well with a little extra nourishment. After pumpkins start growing, limit pumpkins to one or two. Be ready to adjust vine positions as pumpkins grow larger. Make sure pumpkins get as much sun as possible.

Every garden is different. ." Between 80 to 90% of every pumpkin is water; and water is an essential medium for bringing nourishment to the entire plant. Fortunately, the plant has a built-in water-gathering and water-conservation system: The huge leaves are a hovering mulch, mediating ground and sky, shading the soil, keeping it moist, and inhibiting competition from weeds. They also are exquisitely designed to draw nourishment from the sun and guide water to the base of the plant. The question is not whether to water pumpkins, but when and how much. A major factor is the kind of soil in the patch. Sandy soil needs more water than soil with high deposits of clay. In either case, the rule of thumb is: turn off the water when puddles appear; and wait till the soil is dry on top before watering again. It is best to water the plant at the roots rather than sprinkling from above. Overall it's like any other vegetable or flower garden.

Pumpkins grow in many different shapes for a variety of reasons. It's all in the genetics of the seeds. Most seeds are cross pollinated to produce offspring with increased weight, and not pretty colors and shapes. After all most growers are competing in giant pumpkin weigh offs, not beauty contests. Some growers do grow for color and shape. Weather is one factor, since pumpkins were originally grown in northern climates those are the ones we recognize as "traditional". As pumpkins moved with the settlers to different climates throughout the United States, different species had to be developed depending on the climate.

HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU MOVE A GIANT PUMPKIN WITHOUT USING A LIFT?????????????????????????? You can purchase a specially designed Pumpkin Lifting blanket. Once you have rolled your pumpkin onto the blanket you then lift the blanket with the pumpkin in it onto a padded pallet, or into your truck. You may also want to use a large piece of foam rubber to cushion it during transport and unloading. The blanket is equipped with custom made handles all around it for easy lifting. You will need to have at least 1 person for each 75lbs . So invite a few friends over to help when this time comes.

A pumpkin is not a vegetable; it's a fruit! Pumpkins belong to the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes cucumbers, melons, squash, and gourds. Within this family is the genus Cucurbita which includes gourds, winter and summer squash, and all varieties of pumpkin. Most pumpkin fruits are orange, but some are white, yellow, or other colors.

There are four species that are considered "pumpkins," but only one is the species most people would recognize as the traditional pumpkin used for carving jack-o-lanterns. The eatable pulp of a pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium.

People cook pumpkins in various ways, especially as pumpkin pie. Pumpkin seeds, a source of protein and iron, are a popular snack when roasted. Some farmers raise pumpkins for livestock feed.