Growing Giant Pumpkins Organically

Start Early Indoors

• 1

  Fill starter pots with compost or organic potting soil. Plant one giant pumpkin variety seed about 1 inch deep in each starter pot. Use pots between 8 and 12 inches in diameter to accommodate the large pumpkin vines.

• 2

  Water the seeded pots and place them in a warm place, keeping the soil moist until the seeds germinate in 7 to 10 days.

• 3

  Provide strong light from a sunny window, or use grow lights to supplement window light. Water the seedlings with half-strength water-soluble organic fertilizer weekly, and use plain water to maintain even moisture between feedings.

Growing Outdoors

• 4

  Prepare a planting area in the garden. Cover the planting area with 2 inches of compost, tilling it in to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Pumpkins prefer light, well-drained soil that contains plenty of humus. Allow about 150 square feet of growing space per giant pumpkin vine.

• 5

  Transplant your giant pumpkin vines from the starter pots to the prepared garden. Giant pumpkin seedlings are ready to transplant when the first true leaf has completely unfolded, about 2 weeks after germination. Set the plants at the same depth they had been growing indoors, and firm the soil around the roots. Water the transplants.

• 6

  Fertilize the pumpkins weekly with organic fertilizer. Foliar fertilizer is effective after pollination and fruit set. Foliage should be completely dry before evening to help prevent powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.

• 7

  Place organic mulch around and under the vines as they grow to smother weeds and to help retain soil moisture. If you use straw as mulch, use a higher nitrogen fertilizer to compensate for nitrogen loss from the decomposition process of the straw.

• 8

  Remove the first few flowers on each vine so the vine is stronger before it sets fruit. Allow one giant pumpkin per plant to develop. Remove flowers further along the vine as they appear so the plant’s energy will go toward the selected fruit.