How to Grow Pumpkins After Strawberries

Till up the soil after the strawberries have finished fruiting for the season and in time for the pumpkins seeds to germinate and to grow full size -- typically from May through July.

Pull out any strawberry plant crowns and runners, rocks, soil clods and any other debris, leaving a loose, friable soil for seeding.

Create hills of soil with a hoe, every 5 to 6 feet and space multiple rows of soil hills at roughly 10- to 15-ft. intervals. Miniature, bush-style and dwarf pumpkin varieties can be planted at closer intervals according to the space requirements of the specific cultivar as noted on the seed packet.

Plant four to five pumpkin seeds in each soil hill buried 1 in. deep. Firm the soil gently around the seeds to keep them in place.

Water the soil thoroughly but gently so as not to displace the seeds from their soil hills. Irrigate at the soil line throughout the growing season when there is no rain, allowing the surface soil to dry out between waterings.

Thin each hill down to just two or three of the most vigorous young plants once they are well established and reach roughly 10 in. tall.

Pull or cultivate out all competitive weeds from around the pumpkin plants regularly throughout the growing season. These steal water and nutrients from the pumpkin plants and can serve as a breeding ground for pests and disease.

Harvest the ripe pumpkins when they are a deep orange color but still hard to the touch. This is typically in later September or October but must be done before the first frost occurs. Sever the pumpkins from the vine with a sharp clean knife or with loppers, allowing a stem of at least 3 to 4 in.