How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida: Seminole, Giant, & Baking Jenny Graham, June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 Does the summer heat have you dreaming of fall and all things pumpkin? Perhaps you are wondering how to grow pumpkins in Florida in our hot, humid climate. Let’s take a look at growing a pumpkin patch, shall we? How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida Growing pumpkins in Florida is totally doable. Just like with growing most things in Florida, you’ll need the right variety, lots of water, and fertile, well-drained soil. The good news is, is that pumpkins love full sun. There’s plenty of that in the Sunshine State. When to Plant a Pumpkin Patch in Florida The unfortunate part of how to grow pumpkins in Florida is the fact that early July, in the intense heat, is the recommended planting time to sow your larger carving pumpkin seeds. Planting in early July will have you harvesting pumpkins by early October, just in time for carving jack-o-lanterns for Halloween or for the Thanksgiving table in November. Most traditional pumpkin varieties will take at least 100 days to mature. How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida- Select the Easy Growers There are a couple of pumpkins that are easy to grow in Florida that can be planted late March for an early start. Seminole pumpkin plants are a native plant to Florida, that thrives in the heat and is resistant to vine borers. These Florida pumpkins are a heavy producer of a squash type pumpkin that is good for eating. The flesh of the Seminole Pumpkin has a similar taste to a butternut squash, only a little sweeter. I like to plant them in my garden where I need a good ground cover for grass and weed suppression. Another good option to grow earlier in the season for a Florida pumpkin, is the Orange Bulldog. You can harvest them early or leave them to fully mature for a smaller carving pumpkin. How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida- Preparing your Pumpkin Patch Pumpkins need a garden area with growing conditions that give lots of space for their sprawling vines and full sunlight. A nice large patch of rows or several mounds in a full sun area will do the trick. Amending Your Soil to Grow Pumpkins The first step in knowing how to grow pumpkins in Florida is to amend your soil with plenty of high quality compost or aged manure. Amending your soil will help to give you good fertility and well-drained soil. The second step in knowing how to grow pumpkins in Florida is knowing your pH and adjusting if it’s necessary. They like a soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5 that is high in phosporus, with lots of organic matter. Bonus tip, do a soil test to see exactly what you need to add to your soil for the best pumpkin production. Seed and Row Spacing for Growing Pumpkins Your row and seed spacing will be a little different depending on a couple different things. The type pf pumpkin you are growing and if you are growing in ground or in a raised bed will determine what your seed and row spacing will be. Knowing the specifics of the variety will help you know how to grow pumpkins in Florida. Small Pumpkins, Ornamental or Baking Pumpkins In-Ground Row Spacing – 3 to 4 feet Plant Spacing – 18 to 24 inches Planting Depth – 1/2 inch Growing Large Pumpkins In-Ground Row Spacing – 5 to 6 feet Plant Spacing – 24 to 28 inches Planting Depth – 1/2 inch Growing Bush Pumpkin Varieties in a Raised Bed Row Spacing – 2 feet Plant Spacing – 18 to 24 inches Planting Depth – 1/2 inch How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida- Starting Your Pumpkin Seeds When it comes down to how to grow pumpkins in Florida, plant your pumpkin seeds directly in fertile soil after the last frost date for squash type pumpkins, like Seminole Pumpkin plants. Plant pumpkin seeds in July for your larger carving type pumpkin varieties. Pumpkin seeds can be planted directly in the soil or started indoors and then transplanted out into the garden. If starting indoors, you need to plant the seeds about three weeks before the last frost date to get a jump start on the season. Transplant the seedlings into the garden, after hardening off, when they are about three to four weeks old. I like to transplant in the evening so they have the night to settle into their new space. Planting Pumpkins in Compost Perhaps you have a compost pile sitting somewhere? Pumpkins are heavy feeders and often do well directly seeded into a pile of compost. Watering Requirements for your Florida Pumpkin Patch Water the seeds immediately after planting and keep the soil moist, not soaked, until the seeds germinate. Once the plants are up and growing, water them deeply. Pumpkins require one inch of water per week. If you have lived in Florida for any amount of time, you know how hot, and sometimes dry our summers can be. Combine that with our often sandy soil and you’ll find that you need to water your pumpkin patch everyday if we do not have rain. Fertilizing Your Florida Pumpkin Patch Pumpkins tend to be heavy feeders. Combine that with our sandier soils in Florida, which nutrients wash through quickly, and you’ll find that pumpkins need a regular fertilizer schedule. After testing your soil and adjusting your pH, go ahead and amend your garden soil with 1 1/2 cups (per 10 ft. of row) of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer. Two weeks after planting you’ll want to side dress with another two 2 cups of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer. After the third week of planting, mix 1 tablet each of Dr. Joe All Purpose and 1 tablet of Dr. Joe Nutri Bubble into 1 gallon of water. Use this solution as as drench for every four plants. Choosing the Right Pumpkin Varieties to Grow in Florida While a pumpkin patch may not be what comes to mind in your Florida summer garden, it is possible with the right varieties. There are lots of choices for pumpkin varieties that can withstand our hot, humid climate. Varieties that are good for Florida will be less prone to powdery mildew, diseases, and pests that commonly effect pumpkins. Carving Pumpkin Varieties for the Sunshine State Big Max Big Moon Howden New Rocket Funny Face (Bush) Jack O Lantern Cinderella Baking Pumpkin Varieties for the Sunshine State Seminole Pumpkin Orange Bulldog Small Sugar Pie Cinderella Dickinson Field Long Island Cheese Giant Pumpkin Varieties for the Sunshine State Big Max Big Moon Prizewinner Atlantic Giant Smaller Varieties for the Sunshine State Lil Pump-Ke-Mon Wee- B-Little Hooligan 20 Karat Gold Pest and Disease in the Pumpkin Patch Powdery mildew and downy mildew are a common problem in the pumpkin patch and can harm the entire crop if left unchecked. These can both be treated by using a liquid copper fungicide. Leaf spot and blight are also common diseases seen in the pumpkin patch. They can be treated with Vegetable, Flower, Fruit and Ornamental Fungicide. Pumpkins are also known to attract aphids, army worms, flea beetle, whiteflies, mites, squash bugs ,and vine borers. Take Down Garden Spray will control all these pests. The Right Varieties for Less Disease and Pests Choosing the right pumpkin varieties can help fight pests and disease, as some are more resistant to them. Pumpkin varieties that do well in Florida, like the Seminole Pumpkin and Orange Bulldog, are usually more resistant to these common pumpkin problems. Watering your pumpkin patch from the ground level instead of overhead watering will also help keep diseases at bay. Pollination For Fruit Set and a Bountiful Harvest Pumpkins require pollination by insects or by hand pollinating. They have both male and female flowers. When pumpkin vines first start to flower they will usually put out a bunch of male flowers first. Once the plant matures a bit more the female flowers will start to form. The male flowers produce nectar and pollen while the female flowers only produce nectar. Pollen must get from the male flower into the female flower in order to produce pumpkins. Male and Female Flowers Hand Pollinating Female Flowers If you are lacking pollinators in your garden you may have to hand pollinate to ensure a good fruit set on your pumpkin vines. Hand pollinating is an easy task. Many gardeners use a q-tip, a small paint brush, or the male flower’s stamen itself. Gently rub the male’s stamen over each part of the female’s pistil until there’s plenty of pollen on the female’s pistil. Now all you have to do is wait for pumpkins! How to Grow Larger Pumpkins in Florida If extra large pumpkins are what you are after start by getting pumpkin seeds that are for larger pumpkins. Start with properly balanced soil that has been amended with lots of high quality compost. Once your pumpkin seeds are planted in full sun, be ready to provide lots of ground watering. Pretty soon you’ll have pumpkin vines running. At that point find a few places along the vine where a leaf is. On both sides of the leaf, mound up some soil and water it. The vine will then produce secondary roots at that leaf, which will help provide extra nutrients to the growing pumpkins. Be certain that your flowers were pollinated well for the best fruits. Along the pumpkin vine only allow 1-2 pumpkins to grow for the largest pumpkins. Your pumpkin vine will also produce branches. Only allow a few of these. Once they are about 10 feet long, prune the tips off and bury them into the soil. This will trick the plant into sending more nutrients to the developing pumpkins. Keep up with a regular fertilizer schedule and LOTS of water to grow the biggest pumpkins. Harvesting Pumpkins You can harvest your pumpkins once the color is consistent and the rind is hard. Use a sharp knife or hand pruners to cut the vine from the stem. Leave at least three to six inches of the stem on the pumpkin. Leaving some stem on the pumpkin helps it stay fresh longer. Just be sure to not carry the pumpkin by its stem. This can cause it to spoil quickly. Curing Pumpkins Curing your pumpkins is easy and will extend their shelf life. Simply put them in a dry, sunny spot for a couple of weeks. Most pumpkins that are properly cured will store for at least three to four months, while some, like the Seminole Pumpkin, will store for a whole year! Storing Pumpkins Storing your pumpkins properly will also help extend their shelf life and keep them fresh. Store them in a dark, dry place in a single layer. The ideal temperature should be between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Saving Pumpkin Seeds If you ended up growing a really great heirloom pumpkin, save those seeds! Remove the pulp from your pumpkin and start rinsing the seeds. Keep the largest seeds you find, as they will germinate better than the smaller seeds. Set them on a paper towel, in a cool dark place for about a week. Once they are completely dry, you can put them in an envelope or baggie to store in a cool dry place until the next pumpkin growing season. Preserving Your Pumpkins for Decorating Pumpkins can be preserved a couple different ways depending on how you intend on using them. To preserve pumpkins for decorative use removing the bacteria from the rind will help keep them from rotting. To do this simply give them a bath. With one gallon of water in the sink, add two tablespoons of bleach, and a squirt of dish soap. Soak your pumpkins for thirty minuets, rinse , and dry them. Once they are dry, you can spray them with a matte sealer or put a thin coat of petroleum jelly on them. Preserving Pumpkins for Eating Most edible pumpkins will store for seven months up to a year. If you don’t have the space to store a bunch of pumpkins, the best way to preserve them for eating is to cube them and freeze them. If you are looking for a shelf stable option you can pressure can pumpkins. Cooking With Pumpkin You can cook pumpkin a few different ways. It can basically be used in any recipe that calls for winter squash. My favorite way to cook pumpkin is to cube it up and roast it with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also cut a pumpkin in half and roast it in the oven, scooping out the flesh once it’s done to make a pumpkin puree to use in soups or to bake with. How to Grow Pumpkins in Florida Now that you know all the ins and outs of how to grow pumpkins in Florida, head on over to Hoss Tools to pick from their curated collection of pumpkin seeds to buy some of the best pumpkins to grow in the south. I already have some Seminole Pumpkin seeds in my cart. So what about you? What pumpkins will you be picking to grow in Florida? Happy Homesteading And Pumpkin Growing, Jenny @ The GrahamStead Family Farm Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10 acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of hides! Sources: https://growhoss.com/blogs/growing-guides/pumpkin Gardening Homesteading